Author Jack Gantos won both the 2102 Newbery (best contribution to children's literature) and the Scott O'Dell Award (best youth historical fiction) for Dead End in Norvelt. The book has the sharp witted, somewhat frantic style that you would expect from the author of the Joey Pigza books. Clearly there are autobiographical elements to this story aimed at middle schoolers given that the main character has the same name as the author. Gantos has previously written an autobiography for older teens, Hole in My Life, the story of how he became a writer. After graduating from high school and in need of money, he recklessly agreed to sail a 60-foot boat filled with a ton of hashish from the Virgin Islands to NYC - where he was picked up by federal agents and sentenced to 6 years in prison. It was while locked up that he went from wanting to be a writer to committing himself to his craft. I heard him when he was a guest on the "Not My Game" segment of NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me news quiz. The comedians on the show really got a kick out of this year's Newbery winning author having a criminal background for smuggling drugs.
4 comments:
I have heard a lot about this book and this author in particular. I think the teen book about his life sounds more interesting to me, but this one works for younger readers.
I have not looked at this book yet. I really can see from Dr. Berg's description how this would really appeal to boys. It is an author I will have to look at more closely.
I read this book over spring break. I thought it was a little strange, but I liked the little lady's quirky nature about the town.
This book sounds interesting. Seems like it would be a good for younger males.
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