Dead End in Norvelt

funny, exciting, informing

The Miracle of Miss Willie

When Jack first goes to Mrs. Norvelts house and it look like she is melting her hands in a big pot. He ends up past out on the floor. My six year old was so enchanted and worried about what the crazy old lady was doing.

The ending when he figures out the purpose of History.

I loved how he entwined the history and made it relevant. My children and I could not get enough. We have started playing our favorite chapters over again and my 6 year old is acting out his favorite parts.

Original, entertaining and funny. Norvelt is an amusing story that could be recommended to anyone at any age.

Bought this book right after learning it was the Newberry winner, I usually love the books they select. The plot had so much potential and I wanted to like it. Actually had to force myself to finish it to see if the end was so great it made up for the beginning. Found it a jerky ride of manic tangents and multiple themes barely held together in a story so random and contrived that I couldn't force myself to suspend disbelief.

I was sick of nosebleeds, old ladies being murdered and frequent, irritating "faux" swearing (like cheeses crust) by multiple persons, which as read by reader sounded like normal swearing. The main character is a young teen who speaks, thinks and evaluates like an old man looking back rather than a teen experiencing the events. All the characters are quirky and felt manufactured. The setting in the 50's didn't feel real either, a bomb shelter being dug in the back yard does not an era make.

Someone obviously likes it, but many books in the past few years just earning "honors" and not the award are much better.

I liked the humor Jack Gantos infused in the story. The book of is full of quirky characters we have all encountered in our own lives, and the honest perspective of the main character makes the situations he finds himself in all the more enjoyable to read. It is always good for grown ups to remember how kids often view them and kids will empathize with Jack's difficulty in figuring out the adults (and kids) in his life.

The chraacters are charming. Imaginie the protagonist beiing grounded for the whole summer except when he gos to help an elderly lady who writes obits. She is a fabulous writer, we shoul all have such a gifted writer. She iincludes significent history among her writings, historical facts you will enjoy remembering and surprised you'd forgotten. Norvlt is a real place and you ned to know what it means.

Jack and Miss Volker--together they make the story roll.

He has a gift for humor and plays on words. You won't put this book down or begin to think about how small towns begin to meet their demise.

No film for this book

Jack Gantos has outdone himself with this delightful memoir about growing up in the 60s in a community of ecentric characters. Having him read the book made it even better. I love Jack Gantos even more now. I was sad when the book was done as I miss the people he introduced us to.

Funny, classic, and history!

The plot twists and nose bleeds.

As the author of the book, Gantos uses the tone that the book was written with.

If you like epic nosebleeds and screwball mysteries than you wouldn't find this story to just be "stupid stuff"

Read this book on your own or with your children. Its a quick read and delightfully funny. It would be a shame

I really enjoyed this book.

Cool kid going through high stress times

As good as the others

Made me cry and laugh

Every member of my family enjoyed listening to Dead End In Norvelt. Gantos tells a great story.