Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger

Sandpiper tells the story of a young girl barely 16 by the name of Sandpiper Hallow Ragsdale.  She was named by her parents after the place they first met.  Sandpiper (who chooses to be called Piper) is a troubled young girl who seeks the attention of boys by performing oral sex with them.  She began in 8th grade at the coercion of her friends.  Once then entered high school, her friends stopped, but Piper continued.  She didn't know exactly how many times, she had done this guys, but they never lasted more than a few days to a couple of weeks in her world.  One day, after ending it with another guy, Piper meets the Walker.  He is a young man about 18 who spends all day, just walking.  Piper is intrigued by him and the fact that he doesn't ask her too many questions.  However, soon after they meet, Piper encounters an "ex-boyfriend" who is doing all he can to try and scare her. In the rest of her personal life, Piper's mother is getting married to a great guy.  Her little sister Daisy is super excited and they will be meeting their new step-sister Rachel for the first time.  While Rachel is 18, she seems to get along well with 13 year old Daisy.  Piper is of coursed left out.  She feels this way often.  She really has no friends (with the exception of the Walker), she goes from guy to guy and her once close relationship with her father is now strained due to the fact that she has become "developed."  When things in Piper's life begin to unravel, she turns to poetry as her way of escaping.  During the wedding chaos, Piper is now being threatened by her ex Derek.  He has threatened her sister (even intentionally cutting her legs) and also harmed her cat.  All the while, the mystery surrounding the Walker continues.  While he is happy to give advice, he does not open up about anything personal and can become defensive on the topic.  After a quick encounter with her father, Piper learns more about the Walker.  His name is Aiden and year or so ago, he accidently ran over and killed his nephew.  After being shunned by his family, he moves and begins his life of seclusion.  After the wedding and after the newlyweds have left, Piper is awoken by a large crash a broken window.  It's another threat from Derek.  Piper catches Aiden as he is leaving town to ask for help.  While they are walking, Derek soon finds them and attacks them both.  He nearly rapes Piper but Aiden hits him in the head.  Back at home, Piper has been beaten pretty badly along with Aiden.  Charges are pressed by Derek for assault and he also makes up a story about what happens.  But together with Piper and her extended family, they agree to help her and Aiden get through all their tragedies.

While Sandpiper wasn't a bad book to read, it seemed as though it lagged in certain parts.  Although the author tried to show how Derek's anger had escalated, it would seem as though he went from breaking a window, to nearly killing her.  While he had threaten throughout the book, it seemed as though the last attack was the first one that he actually took out on Piper.  I also feel "iffy" about the fact that the book did not have a clear ending.  We do not know if justice was served to the appropriate parties or not.  We do not know how Piper is dealing with this incident over the course of the school year and the town's reaction.  This where a second book would be good, just to simply answer some questions.  I did like how it portrays the realism in the scenario.  Many maybe in shock by Piper's young age, but the fact is, that studies and polls have determined it to be true.  Also the backlash that Piper faces from the town is also realistic of small American towns.  Piper, was actually a very likable character who was real and honest.  Her poetry reflected her thoughts and allowed the reader to see exactly how she felt.  All in all the book isn't bad.  I just wish it had a second book to follow it.