Bare Hands

In this moment-by-moment account of an eventful New Year's Eve day and night, Dutch author Moeyaert convincingly shows the broiling emotions of a country boy. When the story opens, Ward is running through a field with a dead duck in his pocket. His dog, Elmer, and his partner in crime, Bernie, are at his side. Trailing them ""like a big lumbering ox"" is farmer Betjeman, owner of the duck. The boys reach Bernie's house unscathed, but Elmer does not. Readers, plunged into the middle of the events, may at first be taken aback by the flurry of activity and violence. They will have to read between the lines of the author's economical prose to understand the characters' relationships (later, flashbacks help, too). After Ward realizes that Betjeman has killed his dog, the tide turns as the boys, armed with one knife and their ""bare hands,"" swear revenge against Betjeman. While remaining focused on the immediate, the author skillfully distills the essence of protagonist and antagonist: Ward, who fears his mother will marry Betjeman; and Betjeman, who has abused Ward in the past. Haunting images (Ward cradling his lifeless dog under his coat; Betjeman standing alone in a field while New Year's Eve fireworks explode in the sky) add texture and meaning to this disturbing psychological mystery, which ends much gentler than it begins. Ages 9-12. (Nov.)