1) a) Bibliography:
Crutcher, Chris. (2007). Deadline. New York: Harper Collins, 316 pp.
b) Genre and Awards:
Teen fiction, terminal illness, secrets
Kansas City Star's TOP 100 Books of 2007
2008 ALA Best Books for YA "Deadline"
2008 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers "Deadline"
2) Synopsis: Ben Wolf is about to start his senior year when he finds out he has a terminal illness. He decides not to tell anyone, not even his parents, and live a normal year. Half-way through the year, however, he comes to understand through his muse Hey-soos, that his friends and family deserve better from him. Telling the truth sets him free, and he is able to die in peace.
3) a) Characterization: You really get inside Ben's head. He is such a real teenage boy to me. Everything said and done was completely believable. I fell in love with Ben, and know this character will be with me for a while. Cody was also so believable. Dallas was a super cool, not your normal heartthrob girl. I loved how strong and tough she was in the beginning, and then you find out it is all a defense mechanism. This is a heartbreaking story, but completely worth the read.
b) Plot: Seeing Ben through his senior year, while knowing about his blood disease. He deals with a disfunctional family, a victim of sexual abuse teenage mom girlfriend, an alcoholic child molestor friend, a child abuse victim teammate, and racism and bigotry all around his town. These complications make the story seem unbelievable, but I promise, they are all very realistic and very serious issues.
c) Theme: Live life to the fullest. Ben understands he must live each moment like it's his last, because it might very well be. He takes risks, and they all pay off. Another theme is TRUTH. Ben realizes his friends and family deserve the truth from him. He has an advantage over the tragic death of Sooner. He gets to prepare for his death, and say everything he wants to say before his time is up.
d) Setting: Podunk, Idaho, or more commonly known as Trout, Idaho. A small town that loves football, and is predominantly white.
e) Style and Effectiveness: I keep repeating myself, but the writing is just so REAL!! I honestly believed I was in Ben's head. I think all teenagers will find this book so relevant and appropriate to how they speak and what they think. The message is so effective, that although you know the end (that Ben is dying,) you just keep reading to get to know Ben better.
f) Value and Concerns: Value life! My concerns with this book are the age of students reading it. There is lots of bad language, and lots of adult themes dealt with. I think older high school students are alright, but no younger.
g) Needs of Adolescents: alcoholism, child molestation, absent/abusive parents, bigotry, teenage motherhood and depression...all these issues are covered in this book, but not in a bogged down Woe-is-me way. It deals with the issues as true, and part of life, and shows the hope on the other side. I think so many teens could identify with this book, and learn something from it as well.
h) Multicultural Issues: Just ask Ben! He goes on a constant tirade in his government class. As a future teacher, I was cringing for poor Mr. Lambeer. Ben finds Trout to be full of racism and bigotry. He goes on a quest to rename a street Malcolm X Boulevard. What he accomplishes, instead, is a survey on how many times he heard "the n word".
4) Possible Classroom Uses: I would not use this as a read aloud, because it might be a very emotional read for a lot of different reasons in different students. I would definitely recommend this to students I felt might relate to some of the tough issues in this read, and would find it useful for small groups.
5) Appropriate Age Range: Young Adult 15 and up
6) Personal Reactions: Do buckets of tears count as a reaction? Man, Ben Wolf is one amazing boy. I feel like this book will be with me for a while. What a message for all of us to aspire to live by. This book would reach so many students, especially boys, who would like all the football scenes. I would definitely not limit this book to boys, though. I think the sweetest part of this book had to be Ben and Cody's relationship. The bond between brothers is so strong. This is a book I am so glad I read, that I might not have chosen on my own.
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3 comments:
I'm with you on the buckets of tears. This book made me cry like I a book never has before. Chris Crutcher puts you so far inside Ben's head and heart that you really feel like you know him and love him by the end. It was like losing a friend. (Probably a quicker recovery time, but that's why we channel these things while reading!) I was also struck by the relationship between the brothers. It is very honest and emotional in a way that I think young guys aren't capable expressing of except in the context of that specific relationship.
Just like Tara, I'm also with you on the buckets of tears, along with tons of laughs! I loved this novel and the way it really expressed the importance of seizing the time we have on this earth, putting aside our fears, and just going for it. It is a great message to those who are afraid of life's troubles and let downs. Somehow you just have to put those things aside and live life! I didn't really know what to think when we found out about Rudy's past, but I think the compassion that Ben showed him was an amazing example of people helping one another. Helping someone out doesn't always mean you agree with their actions. I also loved the relationship of Ben and his brother. I thought of my sister through the whole book. It also portrayed an unusual, yet real family dynamic very well. This shows kids that you can learn to deal with a family that isn't so picture perfect. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this novel and thought you gave great insight to its literary greatness :)
All in favor of buckets of tears say aye. I definitely count tears as a response, and I know there were a few occasions when they streamed from my eyes. Like you said, there are many ways students and young readers can relate to this story - the number of topics seems almost relentless. I, too wonder if I would have chosen it as a read had we not had it for class. I'm grateful for the assignment!
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