Lots of people think Doug Hanson is a freak -- he gets beat up after school and the girl of his dreams calls him a worm. Doug's only refuge is building elaborate model trains in his basement and hanging out with his best friend, Andy Morrow. Andy is nothing like Doug: He's a popular football star who could date any girl in school. Despite their differences, Doug and Andy talk about everything -- except what happened at the Tuttle place a few years back.
As Doug retreats deeper and deeper into his own world, long-buried secrets come to light -- and the more he tries to keep them invisible, the looser his grip on reality becomes. In this fierce, disturbing novel, Pete Hautman spins a poignant tale about inner demons, and how far one boy will go to control them.

This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Teen category by the Grand Canyon Reader Award. It was recognised in the YA category by the Evergreen Young Adult Book Award. It also was recognised in the High School category by the Black-Eyed Susan Award. It was recognised by the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award. Also it was recognised in the YA category by the South Carolina Childrens Junior and Young Adult Book Award. It was recognised in the YA category by the Volunteer State Book Award. It was recognised in the Teen category by the Rhode Island Book Awards. It was recognised in the Ages 14+ category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens. It was recognised by the Tayshas Reading. It was recognised in the Fiction - YA category by the Minnesota Book Award.

There are 160 pages in this book. This book was published 2005 by Simon & Schuster .

Pete Hautman won the National Book Award for his novel Godless. He is also the author of the acclaimed novels The Big Crunch, How to Steal a Car, Rash, Invisible, Sweetblood, Hole in the Sky, No Limit, and Mr. Was. His home in the world is Minnesota, and his home on the web is www. petehautman. com.