BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gantos, Jack. 2011. Dead End In Norvelt. New York. D&M Publishers. ISBN 9780374379933

2. PLOT SUMMARY
American author Jack Gantos has written an autobiographical novel, whose protagonist is a young boy named Jack Gantos, and is set in Norvelt, Pennsylvania. During a summer Jack who had planned an exciting vacation is grounded for firing his father’s Japanese World War II sniper rifle, and then ensues his punishment and is sent to help his elderly neighbor Miss Volker, who writes the obituaries for the town. Then begins a string of incidents and increase in deaths in the town. The theme of the novel is that of politics, that people use power to control others, and it offers a narrative into American Life in the hometown of Gantos.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
this is an important story, with strong community values, important American values and a strong bond of community. It is partly based on the childhood of author Jack Santos and those childhood recollections being brought to life in this autobiographical novel.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Newbery Medal

The New York Times starred review:

“Jack Gantos has a way with boys or good memory of being one.”

Dave Berry starred review: “A Brilliant Book.”

5. CONNECTIONS

This book should prompt a discussion of what the American values consist of and do a comparison of the past to present set values.

Other books with a similar theme:

Yelchin, Eugene. Breaking Stalin’s Nose. ISBN 9780805092165

Vanderpool, Clare. Moon Over Manifest. ISBN 9780385907507