casehouse's review against another edition
2.0
It's hard to rate this book. Granted, as a middle-aged mom, I'm certainly not the target audience. However, the gruesome humor, serial killer storyline, and meager attempts at injecting history into the story really fell flat for me. Perhaps if I had a better handle on what it's like to be a pre-teen boy, I would have enjoyed this book more!
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
A factional autobiography (one that blends fact and fiction, based on the author's life) set in Norvelt, Gantos' childhood hometown. I love Norvelt, even when it's populated by characters a little too kooky to be believed, like the Rumbaughs. That's a slight problem here, where Jack seems to be the only normal one here - of course, that could be his perception of things, and who are we to argue?
There's a lot of history thrown into the book, in the form of "talks" with Miss Volker about the town and its residents and in the Today in History column in the newspaper. Readers who haven't really encountered Eleanor Roosevelt before may be confused by the importance she has in the town, and there's nothing here to help explain it. There may also be some questions about who the Hell's Angels are (since they've faded somewhat from our consciousness). As for the mystery of the deaths and fires, let's just say I would have loved the book more had that been a larger focus than Jack's being grounded for the summer had been.
Copy provided by publisher.
There's a lot of history thrown into the book, in the form of "talks" with Miss Volker about the town and its residents and in the Today in History column in the newspaper. Readers who haven't really encountered Eleanor Roosevelt before may be confused by the importance she has in the town, and there's nothing here to help explain it. There may also be some questions about who the Hell's Angels are (since they've faded somewhat from our consciousness). As for the mystery of the deaths and fires, let's just say I would have loved the book more had that been a larger focus than Jack's being grounded for the summer had been.
Copy provided by publisher.
bookgoonie's review against another edition
3.0
At first the audio sounded a little bit like Charlie Brown's teacher. It is narrated by the author. But as the story developed and you get a sense of Gantos' life & Norvelt, I started to get into it. If you've ever spent a lot of time with old people that lived through major moments in our history, you can connect with this book. This is fiction but based on his real life and real people.
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
In the same vein as Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago and Gary Schmidt's Okay for Now: historical with zany characters and laugh-out-loud moments. Also however, better appreciated as an adult reader than a middle schooler.
I do think that if this one had more intent on being a mystery it could "sell" better. Otherwise, this pseudo-autobiography, especially the audio version which is read by Jack Gantos himself, will have appeal with patient readers. Takes place during the early 1950s so World War II is still weighs heavily on hearts and minds of many characters, as well at the fear of Cold War Russia. Terms like "Jap" and "Commie" are used throughout the story.
Recommended grades 6 and up. The book is a bit bloody (the main character has chronic bloody noses and his best friend is the daughter of a mortician) but there is no graphic language or violence.
I do think that if this one had more intent on being a mystery it could "sell" better. Otherwise, this pseudo-autobiography, especially the audio version which is read by Jack Gantos himself, will have appeal with patient readers. Takes place during the early 1950s so World War II is still weighs heavily on hearts and minds of many characters, as well at the fear of Cold War Russia. Terms like "Jap" and "Commie" are used throughout the story.
Recommended grades 6 and up. The book is a bit bloody (the main character has chronic bloody noses and his best friend is the daughter of a mortician) but there is no graphic language or violence.
sherming's review against another edition
5.0
I did like this, so I guess I'm qualified to pick Newbery books. Unfortunately it's been a few months since I finished the book, so the details aren't too fresh.
What I recall is that this work is a pleasant recollection of events and places based on Jack Gantos's childhood. He did live in a Western PA town that was established by Eleanor Roosevelt during the Depression. He did have an eccentric woman who was the town historian, had arthritis, and served as the town's medical examiner. He did have a friend whose family owned the town funeral parlor. Also, as the town lost population, some of the town's houses were moved to other cities. He creates a pleasant picture
There things diverge, I hope, are in the serial murders that occurred in the town.
What I recall is that this work is a pleasant recollection of events and places based on Jack Gantos's childhood. He did live in a Western PA town that was established by Eleanor Roosevelt during the Depression. He did have an eccentric woman who was the town historian, had arthritis, and served as the town's medical examiner. He did have a friend whose family owned the town funeral parlor. Also, as the town lost population, some of the town's houses were moved to other cities. He creates a pleasant picture
There things diverge, I hope, are in the serial murders that occurred in the town.
candybg's review against another edition
4.0
Funny - enough that I chuckled out loud.
Found this book on the Carnegie Library of Pgh website, when they listed books written by folks local to Pittsburgh. Nice surprise : )
Found this book on the Carnegie Library of Pgh website, when they listed books written by folks local to Pittsburgh. Nice surprise : )
jbojkov's review against another edition
5.0
This "semi-true" account of a summer in young Jack Gantos's life is a very entertaining read. Despite Jack's best intentions he winds up grounded indefinitely less than a week into his summer vacation. However between the little old ladies dropping dead left and right, and his best frind Bunny daring him to sneak out to join her on various adventures, Jack's summer turns out less than boring. Mr. Gantos has a gift for evoking the voice of a child and pulling you into the story.
katrina_daquin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
Library return after 3 chapters...