Although this book is clever historical fiction, with a mystery twist, I am not sure I agree with the Newbery selection for this year. This book reminds me last year's winner. Usually each winner is very different from the previous winners, thus distinguishing itself as new and original in Children's Literature.
However, Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos is a very entertaining book. It took me a little while to get into it and to finish it. Mainly because, I have had a lot to do in the library for technology that has stolen my reading time at home.
In this book, Mr. Gantos does a great job of peeking in on the Norvelt community post WWII, when the country is entering the time of fear of communism and the rise of McCarthyism. The characters are well drawn, although stereotypical caricatures of people I think of living at this time. Like the Hell's Angels, Mrs. Volker, the tricycle riding Mr. Spizz, and the author's namesake Jack Gantos. The first chapter is hilarious, as Jack, is playing with his dad's Japanese army souvenirs. Unfortunately, for Jack the rifle he is playing with is loaded, which causes him to be grounded for the summer. He can't even explain to his mother that he didn't know the rifle was loaded. His mom is just trying to figure out where all the blood is coming from. Finally, she realizes that it is just from "his little problem". Jack gets bloody noses at the drop of a hat.
I love that the author has incorporated little bits of historical trivia throughout the book too. Norvelt is a real place, that was founded by Eleanor Roosevelt. It is coincidentally the place where the author Jack Gantos was born. I can't help but think some of Jack's escapades come from life experience.
Click on the Link to video casts and author information on the Library of Congress web site.
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