Dead End in Norvelt facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Jack Gantos |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical novel, autobiographical novel, mystery, comedy, political economy |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
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Publication date
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September 13, 2011 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 341 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-374-37993-3 |
| OCLC | 692290969 |
| LC Class | PZ7.G15334 Dd 2011 |
| Followed by | From Norvelt to Nowhere |
Dead End in Norvelt is an exciting and funny book written by American author Jack Gantos. It was published in 2011 and tells a story based on the author's own childhood. The main character is a boy named Jack Gantos, and the story takes place in the author's real hometown, Norvelt, Pennsylvania.
Many people loved this book! The American Library Association gave Dead End in Norvelt the 2012 Newbery Medal. This award is given to the best book for children published in America that year. It also won the annual Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, which honors great historical stories. In Britain, the book was even considered for the prestigious Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Reviewers called the book "achingly funny" and "rib-splitting," meaning it will make you laugh a lot!
Contents
What's the Story About?
Dead End in Norvelt takes place during the summer of 1962. The main character, Jack Gantos, gets into trouble right away. He accidentally causes a problem with a rifle at a drive-in movie theater. As punishment, Jack is grounded and must stay home.
However, Jack's mom finds him a special job. He has to help their elderly neighbor, Miss Volker. Miss Volker is the town's medical examiner and used to be a nurse. She also writes obituaries (notices about people who have died) for the local newspaper.
Strange Happenings in Norvelt
As Jack helps Miss Volker, he learns that many older residents of Norvelt are dying in mysterious ways. Miss Volker is trying to figure out why.
One day, a motorcycle gang causes a big commotion in town after one of their members is involved in an accident. They create a lot of trouble, making things even more chaotic in Norvelt.
Meanwhile, Jack's dad decides to build a runway for his new small airplane. He makes Jack dig an underground bomb shelter as part of the project.
A Mystery Unfolds
Miss Volker promises Jack a red car for his birthday, and he starts driving it around as her helper. As Jack thinks about the strange deaths, he starts to wonder if something is wrong with the food given out at the Community Center. Many of the older residents rely on these meals.
Things get even stranger when the police put Miss Volker under house arrest. They find some chocolates in her basement that are poisoned. These chocolates were given to her by Mr. Spizz, a man who likes Miss Volker. The police think Miss Volker might be involved in the mysterious deaths.
Later, Jack gets a call from Mr. Spizz. Mr. Spizz admits that he was secretly poisoning the older Norvelters. He did this because he wanted Miss Volker to marry him! He then steals Jack's car to get away from the police.
The End of the Summer
The story ends with Jack flying in his dad's small plane. He drops paint-filled balloons on the drive-in theater, which sounds fun but isn't as exciting as he thought. Finally, Jack is no longer grounded, and his summer of adventure comes to an end.
Important Ideas in the Book
Dead End in Norvelt explores several interesting ideas. One big idea is how people use power to control others.
The judges who gave the book the Newbery Medal said it shows how important history and reading are. British judges also noted that the book talks about being self-sufficient, the importance of community, and being a good neighbor.
Norvelt's Special History
One reviewer, Josh Lacey, said the book has a "defiantly political" message. He means it encourages us not to forget important stories from American history that might have been overlooked.
The real hero of the book isn't just Jack, but his hometown of Norvelt and its values. Norvelt was a special town built by the U.S. government during the New Deal to help poor families. It was named after Eleanor Roosevelt, who Miss Volker calls "the greatest American woman who has ever lived." The book reminds us of the importance of community and helping each other.
Who Should Read This Book?
Reviewers suggest that this book is great for readers aged 9 to 13, and even for those 12 and up. Many older readers will also find Jack's character easy to relate to.
