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Kids, students, and life-long readers,
What is the longest period of time that you have been grounded? In this realistic fiction novel set in rural America during the 1960's, Jack has been grounded for the entire summer. One night as he was playing with his father's Japanese WW2 gun, it accidentally went off and shot through their neighbor's window. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and his grounding would not affect the events of his summer. One major character in this story is an elderly lady named Miss Volker who needs Jack's help in writing obituaries for all of the original inhabitants of Norvelt, but something is amiss as many of the inhabitants continue to die off from supposed natural causes. There is also Hell's Angels threatening the town, a best friend whose father works at the morgue, parents who never seem to agree, a bomb shelter and an airplane being built in their backyard, and a police officer who rides a tricycle,
This novel follows a historical feel with humor mixed throughout the story line similar to A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO by Richard Peck. There are interesting history facts sprinkled throughout the story that ties to the main characters love of history and the history of the town. There are also humorous moments like the time the main character passed gas while hunting with his father, so he wouldn't have to kill a deer, or when it appeared Miss Volker's hand were "melting." Finally, I really enjoyed that many of the events and the setting tie to the author's childhood, so it has a real-world feel which makes it more enjoyable to ponder what really happened and what was exaggerated.
One reason that I picked this book to read was due to the comment by another author. Dave Barry is an author that I really enjoy. If he liked this book, there is a good chance I would like it to. This can be helpful in picking out your next book to see what books your favorite authors recommend.
AUTHOR: Jack Gantos
GENRE: Realistic/Historical Fiction
GRADE: 5-8
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