Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Reviewed by JenniferRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
2012 Newbery Medal Winner
Ratings Explanation
Language: “Sweet Cheeze-us” and “Cheeze-us Crust” used a handful of times. Several other religious exclamations. “Damn” used once and “Japs” used a few times.
Violence: It is briefly mentioned that Marines killed a lot of Japanese and burned some alive with flame throwers. Several old women are poisoned. A man is run over by a cement truck.
Adult Themes: War: Soldiers didn’t want to shoot the Japanese enemy. Officers had to threaten to shoot their own men if they didn’t fire. A girl smokes. Death and murder.
Synopsis
Even though Jack Gantos has been grounded for the rest of his life, the summer of 1962 will be one for the history books. During this relatively short period of time, Jack learns to type and to drive, sees his first Hell’s Angels brigade, buys rat poison for an old man who rides a tricycle, digs a bomb shelter, sees several dead bodies, discovers a woman tied up in her basement and rides in an airplane – among other things. It will definitely be a summer never to be forgotten, and that’s one of the most important things Jack will learn: “Don’t ever forget your history or any wicked soul can lie to you and get away with it.”
Jack spends much of his landmark summer with Miss Volker, an original Norvelt resident tasked by Eleanor Roosevelt to document the passing of all original Norvelters. Because of her extreme arthritis, Miss Volker can no longer type and requires a scribe. As Jack types the obituaries for each of the dying founders of his town, he also gets a history lesson, for Miss Volker is determined that someone remember the history of Norvelt because if this town dies, “someone will have to be around to write the obit.”
I thoroughly enjoyed Dead End in Norvelt, especially its very quirky characters and small town setting. It reminded me of the small town where I grew up, except my town wasn’t nearly as exciting. This is really a history book in disguise and Jack Gantos (who is both the author and the main character) was able to weave some really fantastic history into the book, ranging from the destruction of the Incas by Pizarro to John F. Kennedy’s harrowing WWII experiences. But the history of Norvelt and its people ends up being just as important as the well known stories. Full of clever prose, life lessons and, of course, history, Dead End in Norvelt is a deserving Newbery Medal recipient. Recommended for 5th grade and up.