If I Ever Get Out of Here

By Eric Gansworth

A boy hides his poverty from a new friend while facing a bully's wrath.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,546 ratings

368 pages· 99,668 words· Est. 9 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In 1975, Lewis Blake navigates life on the Tuscarora reservation, where music is his escape. When George, a newcomer, befriends him, Lewis hides his family's poverty, fearing judgment. Meanwhile, he faces relentless bullying from Evan, who seems unstoppable. As Lewis juggles friendship and secrecy, he wonders if George will stand by him once the truth is revealed. Can music and friendship overcome the barriers of prejudice and poverty?

From the publisher

“A heart-healing, mocs-on-the-ground story of music, family and friendship.” – Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Tantalize and Rain is Not My Indian Name.Lewis “Shoe” Blake is used to the joys and difficulties of life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation in 1975: the joking, the Fireball games, the snow blowing through his roof. What he’s not used to is white people being nice to him – people like George Haddonfield, whose family recently moved to town with the Air Force. As the boys connect through their mutual passion for music, especially the Beatles, Lewis has to lie more and more to hide the reality of his family’s poverty from George. He also has to deal with the vicious Evan Reininger, who makes Lewis the special target of his wrath. But when everyone else is on Evan’s side, how can he be defeated? And if George finds out the truth about Lewis’s home – will he still be his friend? Acclaimed adult author Eric Gansworth makes his YA debut with this wry and powerful novel about friendship, memory, and the joy of rock ‘n’ roll.