When the Phone Rang by Harry Mazer
"When the Phone Rang" by Harry Mazer is a poignant young adult novel that centers around the abrupt upheaval of a family's life following the tragic news of the parents' deaths in a plane crash. The story follows three siblings—Lori, Billy, and Kevin—as they grapple with their loss and the implications of their new reality. Faced with the prospect of separation, the siblings unite in their desire to maintain their family unit despite the challenges that arise, including financial struggles and personal conflicts.
As the siblings navigate their grief, they confront their individual vulnerabilities and the responsibilities that come with their new circumstances. The narrative explores themes of family unity, the effects of loss on young people, and the quest for independence. Mazer's portrayal of the characters, particularly the struggles of Billy, Lori, and Kevin, reflects the common experiences of youth in the face of adversity. The novel concludes on a hopeful note, with the siblings beginning to rebuild their lives together, underlining the importance of support and resilience during difficult times. Mazer's work is recognized for its realistic characters and relatable themes that resonate with young adult readers.
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Subject Terms
When the Phone Rang by Harry Mazer
First published: 1985
Type of work: Adventure tale
Themes: Coming-of-age, death, and family
Time of work: The present
Recommended Ages: 13-15
Locale: A city in Massachusetts
Principal Characters:
Billy Keller , a sixteen-year-old boy, who tells the story of his family’s survival after the death of his parentsLori Keller , his twelve-year-old sisterKevin Keller , his twenty-one-year-old brother, who comes home from collegeMilo Miller , a Children’s Services agentUncle Paul , andAunt Joan , relatives who wish to sell the household goods and have the children live with them
The Story
A normal family comes to an abrupt end when the phone rings one afternoon. Billy, the younger of the two boys, learns from the airline that his parents have been killed in a plane crash. What follows is the struggle of these young people: Lori, twelve; Billy, sixteen; and Kevin, twenty-one, who is away at college.
Uncle Paul, Aunt Joan, and Grandmother arrive soon after news of the plane crash. Kevin, too, is called home from school. The group discusses what should happen to these three young people. Billy soon realizes that Uncle Paul, Aunt Joan, and Kevin are talking in terms of selling the house, packing up the household belongings, and separating the family: Billy will live with his aunt and uncle, Lori will go with Grandmother, and Kevin is old enough to be on his own. Billy cannot accept this arrangement and approaches Kevin with a plan: He wants what is left of the family to stay together. Kevin agrees, even though it means that he must drop out of school. The children agree that they want to stay together and convince their relatives that they should be allowed to try to make it on their own.
The family begins to function again: Kevin gets a job as an ambulance paramedic, Billy returns to school, and Lori finds a new friend. Soon Mr. Miller, an agent from the local Children’s Services, arrives to interview the family. The reader anticipates that this may be the end of this living arrangement, but that is not the case. Miller talks to Billy and Lori and leaves. He returns in a few days to talk to Kevin but fails to see him. When Miller does meet Kevin, in the grocery store, they exchange telephone numbers and Miller leaves.
The struggles of family living get worse. Kevin and Billy continue to argue, Kevin spends long weekends in Boston to be with his girlfriend, and Lori spends more and more time with Maryanne, her new friend of questionable reputation. Billy is left to fend for himself. Kevin loses his job as a result of spending too much time in Boston. The lack of money forces Kevin to sell the Mercedes, the last connection between Billy and his father, which causes the family conflicts to escalate. At the same time, Billy realizes that Lori is getting the attention she needs from Maryanne and that both girls are shoplifting at the local store. When Billy confronts Lori, she goes to the rooftop and threatens to commit suicide.
Each of the three realizes that while all were committed to staying together the family was disintegrating because each was thinking of him-or herself, and not giving one another the attention and support necessary for the family’s survival.
The novel ends on a positive note. All accept the tragedy and begin to work together as a team. Lori is about to visit her grandmother for a month, Kevin is going to school, and Billy is going to work part-time at the CYO, an athletic club, to earn some extra money and to be near his newfound girlfriend.
Context
When the Phone Rang is one of many young adult novels that Harry Mazer has written. Others include The Girl of His Dreams (1987), Hey Kid! Does She Love Me? (1986), and City Light (1988). The strength in these works lies in the consistency with the general characteristics of literature written for young adults.
The characters are believable. Billy, the main character, faces the struggle of survival with death as any sixteen-year-old would. His sense of family unity is to be admired. His struggle with death exemplifies the struggles that everyone has when a loved one is lost. Lori, not getting the attention that she needs at home, turns else-where. She is vulnerable, and succumbs to the negative influence of Maryanne. Kevin, however, thinks of himself—he does not want to quit school or give up his girlfriend in Boston.
In young adult literature, adult characters are frequently portrayed in a negative fashion. Mazer seems to follow this: Uncle Paul, Aunt Joan, and Milo Miller seem superficial. They do not seem to consider the welfare of the young people a primary concern. The exception is Grandmother, who is a positive influence in the novel.
Some would argue that the plot is the weakest element in the novel. The events could happen, but would they? Readers will need to make their own decisions in this regard. That the authorities allow the three young people, two of whom are underage, to live alone seems a bit unbelievable. The fact that a young married couple lives in the apartment below them and an older couple lives above them may offer some support for this arrangement.
It would seem that Mazer has accomplished a creditable goal. He has taken a devastating subject and given it a sensitive treatment, combined with humor, detail, and enough credible teenage action to create a positive experience for the young adult reader.