Reviewed by Kim Harris Thacker:
writer, mommy, and Bookshop Talk host
Oh my giggles, this book was funny
and totally deserving of the Newbery Medal,
which it won back in January of this year. Honestly, I laughed out loud several
times. I also gagged, because there were bloody noses. Lots of them. Lots and
lots. Rather, it's one nose that's bleeding, but it's often bleeding. Maybe I
should say "nose bleeds." That clarifies things a bit, but it also
sounds a little pretentious, and DEAD END IN NORVELT is anything but
pretentious! It's gory and gross and absolutely ridiculous. It's also rather
educational. I mean, amid the chortles and gags, I also learned quite a lot of
random history.
But I can't let you think that this
book is just funny and slightly educational. It's so well written. Gantos is
dead-on with the main character's voice. He's completely believable. I also
loved all the other characters, all of whom were really wacko and really
loveable.
Read this book for the giggles, the
history, and because it truly is, as humor columnist and author Dave Barry
said, "A brilliant book."
Do you know what else is fantastic?
Jack Gantos has helps for teachers and librarians available on his website,
too. Click here for
the teacher's guide for DEAD END IN NORVELT.
*Note: If you're a fan of
Richard Peck's Newbery Medal-winning and honor-winning novels, A LONG WAY FROM
CHICAGO and A YEAR DOWN YONDER, you definitely need to give DEAD END IN NORVELT
a try!
MARKET: MG Historical Fiction
LANGUAGE: mild (frequent use of a
"fake" swear word)
VIOLENCE: extremely mild (some
discussion of past wars; lots of bloody noses, but they're never caused by
violence)
SENSUALITY: mild (mention of a
sweet crush--that's it)
MATURE
THEMES: death, less-than-ideal finances, post-war trauma, difficulties within families
2 comments:
I love "A Long Way from Chicago"! I will have to try this one!
Thanks. I just put it on hold.
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