Sticks and Stones (1972) by Lynn Hall is a contemporary young adult novel about Tom Naylor, a high school senior in a small town, whose life unravels when a damaging rumor spreads that he is homosexual. Tom, a talented pianist, has just moved to Buck Creek, Iowa, with his mother after they left Chicago following her divorce. Tom befriends Ward, a young Air Force veteran, but their bond sparks a rumor that leads to his ostracization at school. Despite Tom's denial, the rumor worsens, affecting his academic and social life. The novel explores themes of prejudice, isolation, and the power of friendship, culminating in Tom’s tragic realization about the destructive effects of gossip and the value of genuine love.
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