BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, J. (2011). Dead end in Norvelt. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780329926212
PLOT SUMMARY
A boy named Jack Gantos is grounded for the summer. His mother loans him out to an elderly neighbor who teaches him the history of the town they live it. Along the way they encounter many deaths, a gang of Hell’s Angels and conflicting ideals as to where the towns’ future lies.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
History is thought to be a boring subject by many people and there are even fewer who pick up a book to learn about it on purpose. Jack actually likes history but nothing beats hearing it from someone with firsthand experience. This book blends the history of the past beautifully with the history of the present. Using the towns’ newspaper column, it merges those who have passed today with the events of the past.
The history is prevalent throughout the entire book without it being a long winded monologue listing dates and facts one after another after another. It has a perfect blend of story mixed with history that it’s hard to tell what is fiction and what is non-fiction.
The characters are amusing and witty and absolutely believable. Miss Volker is the nosy busy body who everyone seems to adore, Mr. Greene the hard-hitting newsman looking for the next big story and the town crazy Mr. Spizz. We are even allowed a glimpse into a fully functional, dysfunctional family with the weird brother, a child who disobeys rules and a married couple who lovingly fight. Their family isn’t glossed up to make it look perfect like so many families want to be like. They laugh, they love and they argue just like everyone else.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“Characteristically provocative gothic comedy, with sublime undertones.” - Kirkus Review Sept. 13th, 2011
“Charming story of a small-town boy's unlikely adventures.” – Sally Englefried, Common Sense Media
“This is a brilliant book, full of history, mystery, and laughs. It reminded me of my small –town childhood, although my small town was never as delightfully weird as Norvelt.” – Dave Berry, co-author of the Peter and the Starcatchers series and author of I’ll Mature When I’m Dead
CONNECTIONS
*Research this day in history. What did you find?
*Imagine you were writing your own obituary. What great accomplishments could you list? What do you wish you could add to it?
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