Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Dead End in Norvelt

by Jack Gantos

Dead End in Norvelt is a semi-autobiographical novel by the author Jack Gantos.  So, it is not a true autobiography, rather it is a work of fiction based on real events and things from Jack Gantos' life.  At the beginning of the book, we meet Jack who is twelve-years-old in the summer of 1962.  He lives with his parents in the small town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania.  Jack's summer is not off to a good start, though.  He accidentally shot off his father's Japanese rifle in the backyard and has been grounded for the entire summer.  Jack is not allowed to leave his house at all for the whole summer, but there is a stipulation.  He can leave to help out his elderly, arthritic neighbor Miss Volker.  Due to Miss Volker's arthritis, she has a hard time using her hands so she needs Jack to help her out around the house and also with her duties as town coroner.  As the coroner, Miss Volker needs Jack to drive her to wherever there is a dead body in town and he also helps her by typing up the town's obituaries.  Jack expects that his summer is going to be a boring one.  Let's face it, how many people are going to wind up dead in one summer?  But Jack's summer is anything but boring!  First, the old ladies of Norvelt are dropping dead one after another and this leads to a murder mystery investigation.  Jack's father also decides to restore an old plane, Jack has a run in with the Hell's Angels, and there are house fires and nosebleeds galore!  And that's not even half the story!

Dead End in Norvelt is a great read for summer.  It's an easy read that is laugh out loud hilarious.  If you love to laugh and enjoy weird stories, then click here to find Dead End in Norvelt at the Library!

Also, check out this interview with Jack Gantos where he describes more about writing Dead End in Norvelt and how it is based on some real things from Jack's life and why he wanted to write this story.

  

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian

Of All the Stupid Things Reviewed by Julie

I just read Of all the Stupid Things and I really liked it. It tells the story of three girls in high school who each have their own set of problems and how they over come them. I think that it would be a great read for anyone my age. 

 

 

 

 

review submitted by Julie

Book Trailer of the Week-- The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

This week's book trailer is for The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour.  Click here to find The Disenchantments in the Library!

 

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian

Book Trailer of the Week-- Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

This week's book trailer is for Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King.  Click here to find Everybody Sees the Ants in the Library!

 

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian

Book Trailer of the Week-- The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner

This week's book trailer is for The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner.  Click here to find The Pull of Gravity in the Library!

 

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian

Book Trailer of the Week--Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

This week's book trailer is for Cathing Jordan by Miranda Kenneally.  Click here to find Catching Jordan in the Library!

 

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian

Listen to This-- Emily's Playlist for Hoot

Check out Emily's playlist for Hoot by Carl Hiassen.

Click here to find Hoot in the Library and find out why Emily selected these songs for her playlist.

 

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Leaving Paradise

by Simone Elkeles

Maggie Armstrong had a crush on her best friend’s twin brother, Caleb Becker.  That is until one night,  at a party, Caleb hit Maggie with his car and left her broken in the street.  It’s a year later and Caleb is being released from juvenile detention, convicted of a hit and run while driving drunk.  Maggie has spent the past year in recovery from a devastating leg injury that has left her scarred, with a severe limp, and an outcast.  Caleb is returning home, hoping to find that nothing has changed.  His family, however, is falling apart at the seams.  His girlfriend has moved on to his best friend, and  one moment his friends treat him like he’s the same old Caleb and the next like he’s trash.  Both Maggie and Caleb have lost everything.  Their friends and families have changed because of the accident and no one will ever look at the two of them as they did before.

Maggie and Caleb are keeping secrets about that night, however, secrets that could change everything.  Told in alternating chapters, Leaving Paradise, is a fast and emotion filled read.  It’s not a cry out loud book, but there is a strong undertone of emotion that takes you on a ride.  You feel the anger in both Maggie and Caleb, but you also feel the hopelessness and frustration of each situation.  Yes, there is a romance here, but it’s not the center of the book and it is added in at just the right places.  Though the ending was not what I expected, I was definitely left satisfied.  You’ll love the characters of Maggie and Caleb and feel empowered by how each overcame other peoples’ perceptions of them and in turn became stronger in their own selves.

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian 

Book Trailer of the Week--You Against Me by Jenny Downham

This week's book trailer is for You Against Me by Jenny Downham.  Click here to find You Against Me at the Library!

 

posted by Colleen, Teen Services Librarian

Listen to this-- Rahul's playlist for Notes from the Midnight Driver

Checkout Rahul's playlist for the character of Sol, from Jordan Sonnenblick's Notes from the Midnight Driver.  Rahul also wrote a great review of the book: 

Notes from the Midnight Driver is about Alex.  Alex has gotten arrested for drunk driving and now has to go to a retirement home and help a man named Sol Lewis.  This book is a great read for any age.

Click here to find the book Notes from a Midnight Driver in the Library and find out why Rahul selected these songs for the character of Sol for his playlist.  And here's his playlist for Sol: