The Blue Helmet by William Bell

            In the beginning of this novel, we meet Lee Mercer, a troubled teen, who is trying to get into a neighbourhood gang called the Tarantulas. After almost being arrested, Lee's father sends him to New Toronto to live with his aunt. Though he initially resists his aunt and the unusual customers of the cafe', Lee's life gradually starts to straighten itself out. He has started to work at the cafe', and as a delivery boy. During his deliveries, Lee makes an unlikely friendship with a strange but interesting man, Bruce Cutter. After an unexpected tragedy, it is up to Lee to find out everything there is to know about Cutter. He sifts through drawers and computer files, trying to solve the mystery of Bruce Cutter. Was he really as crazy as he seemed? Or was there a method to all of the madness? Read the novel to find out!.
             This novel takes place during all the seasons in the 2000's. The beginning takes place in Lee's home town (location not specified), but the majority of the story occurs in New Toronto, Canada. The circumstance of the novel is that Lee wants to be a member of the most powerful gang in his neighborhood, but when initiation goes wrong, he is sent by his father to live in New Toronto with his aunt. There are about three major conflicts in this novel. The first is the internal conflict between Lee Mercer and himself. The second and third are both interpersonal conflicts, one between Lee and his father, and the other between Lee and Cutter. Lee has had some hardships in his life, and instead of dealing with them, he has made some bad decisions. He must face the war inside himself before he can be at peace, and this creates an internal struggle for him. Then there is the obvious conflict between Lee and his dad. They do not have much in common, and after his dad sends him away, Lee refuses to talk to him. However, in the end of the novel, they come to terms with each other, find a common ground and start living a new life with each other.