Sunday, September 1, 2013

Get ready for more...

From jackgantos.com:
"This rocket-paced follow-up to the Newbery Medal–winning novel Dead End in Norvelt opens deep in the shadow of the Cuban missile crisis. But instead of Russian warheads, other kinds of trouble are raining down on young Jack Gantos and his utopian town of Norvelt in western Pennsylvania. After an explosion, a new crime by an old murderer, and the sad passing of the town’s founder, twelve-year-old Jack will soon find himself launched on a mission that takes him hundreds of miles away, escorting his slightly mental elderly mentor, Miss Volker, on her relentless pursuit of the oddest of outlaws. But as their trip turns south in more ways than one, it’s increasingly clear that the farther from home they travel, the more off-the-wall Jack and Miss Volker’s adventure becomes, in From Norvelt to Nowhere, a raucous road novel about roots and revenge, a last chance at love, and the power of a remarkable friendship."

Arriving September 24th!



The Book Trailer

Now that you've read the book, do you think this trailer from the publisher does it justice?

Monday, July 29, 2013

Thinking about Norvelt, PA


I hope you have had a chance to start the book and are enjoying getting to know these characters. The town of Norvelt is a real town, with a pretty interesting history. Jack Gantos has a deep personal admiration for Eleanor Roosevelt. What was her connection to Norvelt? Why did Jack's dad call Norvelt a "Commie" town? How would you describe Miss Volker's commitment to the community?

Share your ideas and comments!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Listen to an excerpt

Jack reads a short excerpt of his award-winning book

Meet Jack

So glad you picked this book!

Thank you for joining me in reading Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. He is one of my favorite authors, from his Rotten Ralph picture book series, to Joey Pigza and the Jack books.

Have you read any of his books?