Module 5
Historical Fiction
Additional Book
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, Jack. 2011. DEAD END IN NORVELT. Harrisonburg, VA: RR Donnelley & Sons Company. ISBN 9780374379933
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This historical novel is centered on a declining town and all the elderly citizens dropping dead. Norvelt is an old town with a history that was named after Eleanor Roosevelt. Jack Gantos is a young boy caught between to loving, yet feuding parents. Mrs. Gantos loves her town and is always helping others. Mr. Gantos is a fun loving dad that is obsessed with war memorabilia. He is obsessed with building a fake bomb shelter that covers his plans to build a runway for his airplane. The story begins with Jack playing with his fathers WWII treasures. It is the summer vacation and Jack figures out real soon that he is not going to get to have the summer he intended. His mother loans him out to Miss. Volker, the towns Chief Medical examiner. Miss. Volker writes the obituaries in the paper that are filled with historical dates and information about the people who founded the town. She is unable to use her hands because of arthritis, so Jacks job is to be her hands. He rights the obits on paper, types them on the typewriter, and then delivers them to the paper. Along the way Jack is learning about history because Miss Volker always has historical dates of famous events or people that match the day of the persons death. She links them together in the obits. When Jack gets upset his nose bleeds. Miss Volker, a retired nurse is able to fix his problem with crude tools. Miss Volker and Mr. Spizz’s, an old-timer that lived in the town, that wanted to marry Miss Volker and was going to do anything he could to make it happen. They were always arguing back and forth about her promise to marry him after all the old Norvelt town’s people were dead. She made a promise to Eleanor Roosevelt, the godmother of Norvelt, to take care of the town. Unfortunately, disaster comes to town in the form of the hell’s angles. Jack is always trying to do better and Jack promises to never break the rules again. A promise made in haste. The final chapter will come as a surprise as Jack breaks his promise and the mystery of the dying citizens is solved.
Gantos, Jack. 2011. DEAD END IN NORVELT. Harrisonburg, VA: RR Donnelley & Sons Company. ISBN 9780374379933
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This historical novel is centered on a declining town and all the elderly citizens dropping dead. Norvelt is an old town with a history that was named after Eleanor Roosevelt. Jack Gantos is a young boy caught between to loving, yet feuding parents. Mrs. Gantos loves her town and is always helping others. Mr. Gantos is a fun loving dad that is obsessed with war memorabilia. He is obsessed with building a fake bomb shelter that covers his plans to build a runway for his airplane. The story begins with Jack playing with his fathers WWII treasures. It is the summer vacation and Jack figures out real soon that he is not going to get to have the summer he intended. His mother loans him out to Miss. Volker, the towns Chief Medical examiner. Miss. Volker writes the obituaries in the paper that are filled with historical dates and information about the people who founded the town. She is unable to use her hands because of arthritis, so Jacks job is to be her hands. He rights the obits on paper, types them on the typewriter, and then delivers them to the paper. Along the way Jack is learning about history because Miss Volker always has historical dates of famous events or people that match the day of the persons death. She links them together in the obits. When Jack gets upset his nose bleeds. Miss Volker, a retired nurse is able to fix his problem with crude tools. Miss Volker and Mr. Spizz’s, an old-timer that lived in the town, that wanted to marry Miss Volker and was going to do anything he could to make it happen. They were always arguing back and forth about her promise to marry him after all the old Norvelt town’s people were dead. She made a promise to Eleanor Roosevelt, the godmother of Norvelt, to take care of the town. Unfortunately, disaster comes to town in the form of the hell’s angles. Jack is always trying to do better and Jack promises to never break the rules again. A promise made in haste. The final chapter will come as a surprise as Jack breaks his promise and the mystery of the dying citizens is solved.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a fast moving page-turner. The language and sentence construction are true to the characters, the time, and a dying town. The long obituaries are packed with historical details and information about the people who founded the town. For children who feel history is boring this is a unique way to peek their interest, perhaps to investigate more into the events. These characters are so true to today’s families and their lives they are totally believable. The mother trying to border for services may be a strange idea for the young kids, but being poor will not be for some. The reader can identify with Jack’s personality as he deals with his daily life. Jack has to deal with many daily decisions true to our society today. The author has created believable characters in a believable setting in a very hilarious novel.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
From Good Reads: “Jack Gantos is the perfect narrator for his own work. This book is partly autobiographical, partly fiction, and totally wacky.”
Newbery
Award Winner
Scott’O
Dell Award Winner
From
Common Sense Media: “the humor will carry most readers toward the end when the pace
picks up and moves toward an exciting conclusion.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* Readers should be at least 10 or so to read this book. I think boys would find it pretty funny.
5. CONNECTIONS
* Readers should be at least 10 or so to read this book. I think boys would find it pretty funny.
*It is a great way to expose
kids to history because it is so funny.
It also will teach them just a little and they can research more into
certain events or people.
No comments:
Post a Comment