The Scheme of Things, a coming-of-age story with a thriller twist, poses the question: Have you ever had a secret? For young Henry Dodge, every day is an exercise in keeping his. Whether it's his sketchbook falling into the hands of his older brother, John, or saying the wrong thing to his parents Big Ed and Kate, which may tip them off to the fact that he knows he is
different. He would rather spend his afternoons with his friend Kelley, perfecting their disco moves than join in with the neighborhood boys and their sporting ways.
When Danny Woodson moves into the neighborhood and becomes his brother's best friend, Henry's world is turned upside down, as his attraction to him is electrifying.
In an effort to find a place to hide, Henry turns to TV, movies and music that provide him a great escape, a solace, which he can't get from the world-at-large. Unfortunately, the nighttime soap operas of the '80s plant the seeds of a scheme that involves running away to find Danny in Los Angeles.
But the City of Angels holds only devils in disguise, backstabbing and heartache, as Henry thinks he has found shelter in The Palace of King George and his court of supporting players.
In a tale that is equal parts comedy and heartbreak, Henry struggles to find acceptance and eventually going against the grain to find his place in the scheme of things.
The Scheme of Things was reviewed by Kirkus Reviews and placed on their Recommended Reading List in May.
"Parks' story is an often touching tale of a young man's self-discovery... the author's prose is also full of funny quips and puns...Henry, as the narrator of the
story, is also likable and tender, which makes it easy for readers to root for him. An action-packed, if sometimes over-the-top, story about a young gay man's desire to join a community that accepts him." - Kirkus Reviews