Also Known as Rowan Pohi by Ralph Fletcher

Title: Also Known as Rowan Pohi

Author: Ralph Fletcher

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Rating: 3 stars

Also Known as Rowan Pohi is a quite short, light and interesting reading about Bobby Steele, a boy who decides to trick his way into Whitestone, a prestigious school in Bobby’s town. It’s begun with a prank with his friends when they invented Rowan Pohi, a smart and talented boy who wanted to enter Whitestone. But when they received a letter telling them that Rowan is accepted, Bobby decided to take his place and be Rowan Pohi.

This is a light reading; it only took me about one and a half hour to finish it. The main character, Bobby Steele, hated his name due to its association with his father, Bobby Steele Senior, after a terrible event between his father and his mother. Thinking that his future is doomed due to the name and his low rank school, Bobby thinks Rowan Pohi is his getaway ticket to be what he always wanted to be.

I like Bobby, I can relate to him. For him Rowan Pohi is his mardi grass. He could be himself, or, not himself, depend on from which side you’re looking at. Being Rowan Pohi gives him a chance he couldn’t get as Bobby Steele, a chance for clean start and promising future. Other characters aren’t that interesting although I quite like his friends and their friendship.

Overall this is too short to make you feel deeply engaged but it’s still a nice reading, a book that fits for kids and those who like reading kids books like me.

Lynossa

Also Known as Rowan Pohi by Ralph Fletcher