Little J and Roger /
Julian's Private Scrapbook
An adventure about boys...
Eldot presents a fresh new approach to looking at an age-old phenomenon: coming of age. It is a novel for adults primarily because society isn’t ready for juveniles to read about these things. They get to suffer all the problems while the grownups argue what to do about it.
This series tries to see what it looks through the teenager’s eyes. What do they see and feel? Never mind the scolding and pontificating for now: what’s it all about, really?
The books invite the reader to put aside the cares of the day and have some fun like they did when they were teens. Maybe some of these sensitive issues will be seen and understood in ways that will help.
Rather than pose an angst filled melodrama, the subject is cast as a romantic comedy. There is much to see and learn, but the medium is central to the message. It has to entertain as well—that way the reader gets to share in drawing the lessons.
One of the most fun things growing up is summer camp. What better place than that to go for our lessons? Here are a few questions that suggest why you may have a good time here:
- Did you miss the chance to go to summer camp? This story will
fill the gap.
- Did you go to camp but it was boring, or too short? This will
make up for that.
- Did you go to camp, but were too inhibited to try any of “those
things?” Here is a memory for you to cherish.
- Did you go to camp but it was too straight or puritanical? Here
is your substitute.
- Or was your camp experience fabulous and terrific? See how this
one compares!
Each book in the series covers three days—and nights—in a two week camp. These are told primarily from the perspective of one boy, Julian Forrest. It is his story, overall. Other stories are interwoven to provide contrast, comparison, and balance—that’s one reason there are five books. They are sequential, but can be enjoyed separately.
In a nutshell:
Julian Forrest has had this crush for four years, at least; it is
time to make his move, at long last. He has been a member of Troop Nine for a
year now, and he just knows in his bones that the perfect situation is at hand:
summer camp. He’ll have two weeks in a place where all the distractions and
annoyances of the working world will be removed. Mark will be his before the bus
trip back home. He has been in love with his scoutmaster forever—since he was
nine, at least.
Mark proves to be more of a challenge than he expected.
The reader will have to decide for himself whether to read some of the intimate passages. Everyone has his own line, ultimately. If it isn’t to your liking, skip to the next scene or put it away.