Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I wrote a nice review of this book already, but it was in odd moments during my day, and the network  bumped me off before I published.  Basically, I really liked this 2012 Newbery winner.  The main character is named Jack Gantos, the author's name, so you get the idea that it is more than a little autobiographical.  The Jack in the story gets "grounded for life" when he accidentally shoots a bullet from his father's Japanese rifle,and at his father's request, plows down his mother's cornfield.  He faces a pretty boring summer until his mother tells him he has to help arthritic Ms. Volker write the obituaries for the town.  She dictates and he types.  This act of service gets him involved in more adventure than he would ever find in a regular summer.  Truly a fun, fun read.  Might be nice book for our library group next year. 



View all my reviews