The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
Reviewed by BridgetRatings
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
1997 Newberry Medal Winner
Ratings Explanation
Language: Hamilton Knapp writes the word “cripple” on the chalkboard in reference to his teacher, Mrs. Olinski, who is a paraplegic. Hamilton Knapp writes on Julian Singh’s leather book bag, “I am a ass.” Julian changes the phrase to read, “I am a passenger on Spaceship Earth”.
Violence: Hamilton Knapp and Michael Froelich attempt to feed Ginger, the dog, a tranquilizer and laxative in the form of a doggie treat.
Sexual Content: Grandpa Gershom said to Grandma Gershom, “Why don’t you ask me how I can stand making love to the same woman over and over again?” Sixth grade girls display lacy bra straps inside their T-shirt necklines. The groom gives the bride a very long and thorough kiss. The bride, Grandma Margaret Draper, is referred to as a thoroughbred Protestant and Grandpa Izzy is a thoroughbred Jew, but they don’t plan on breeding. Grandpa Izzy refers to Margaret as zaftig, which is Yiddish for pleasingly plump. He can’t keep his hands away from her and is constantly pinching her.
Adult Themes: Allen Diamondstein kept saying, “Isn’t it ironic? My father is getting married just as I am getting divorced.” Nadia grapples with her parents’ divorce. Nadia channel surfs and watches a show about teenagers whose mothers flirt with their boyfriends and another about people who pierce weird body parts.
Synopsis
Mrs. Olinski, a sixth grade teacher at the Epiphany Middle School, has the responsibility of choosing an academic team to compete in The Academic Bowl. The team, The Souls, are hand chosen by Mrs. Olinski—or did the team choose Mrs. Olinski? The Souls trounce the competition and win round after round. Finally, they have the opportunity to compete in the State of New York Academic Bowl. Nadia, Julian, Ethan and Noah’s lives have been intertwined in many ways and generations, long before the academic team was created.
I chose this book based on the author, E. L. Konigsburg, its odd title, and its Newberry Medal status. This book is a quick read, but not up to the high bar set with Konigsburg’s “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler”.
©2009 The Literate Mother