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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
EDSE 4215: Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
“Now I have very little skill in the man-woman-type area anyway, so I probably would have just stayed home in slightly depressed peace on V-day in a normal year, because the chances of my asking out a human female with any degree of success were right up there with the odds of the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series. No, worse – the Cubs winning the Super Bowl.”
Summary: Alex Peter Gregory is a sixteen-year-old like any other; until he is arrested for decapitation – of a garden gnome. On top of that he faces legal troubles for driving while intoxicated. (These incidents are explicitly related). His punishment: volunteering at a local nursing home. His assignment: making Sol Lewis, one of the hospital’s stingiest curmudgeons, happy. In this Tuesdays with Morrie-esque, near-coming-of-age tale Alex learns the value in taking responsibility for his actions, respect for his elders, and thinking before he acts.
Appropriate For: My cooperating teacher recommended this book to me to read for a good YA pick. The book was not exactly my personal taste in even young adult novels, but it was eminently relatable from the lens of a middle schooler. Although Alex is a high schooler, based upon my experience with seventh graders I believe that middle schoolers are the most likely to enjoy Alex’s cheeky sense of humor throughout the book.
Teach or Circulate: My CT has this book as an option for free reads in her classroom, but I do not believe she has ever taught it. For good reason too. The book is not particularly literary and nothing came to mind while I was reading in terms of possible lesson plans or unit features. However, while Sonnenblick’s writing does not make for a transcendent or standards-meeting educational experience, it is very readable, relatable voice for middle schoolers to read. Alex speaks in a funny, conversational tone throughout that may be perfect for kids who don’t always like books.
Discussion Questions
1. In the book, Alex gets a lot of things out of his community service experience. Do you think that community service is a fit legal punishment?
2. Alex communicates with people of many ages ages throughout the book. What is the value of multi-generational friendships?
I also found some good anticipatory sets online:
- First-time drinking and driving offenders should have a light sentence, especially if no one was hurt.
- Two people who are good friends cannot successfully start dating.
“Now I have very little skill in the man-woman-type area anyway, so I probably would have just stayed home in slightly depressed peace on V-day in a normal year, because the chances of my asking out a human female with any degree of success were right up there with the odds of the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series. No, worse – the Cubs winning the Super Bowl.”
Summary: Alex Peter Gregory is a sixteen-year-old like any other; until he is arrested for decapitation – of a garden gnome. On top of that he faces legal troubles for driving while intoxicated. (These incidents are explicitly related). His punishment: volunteering at a local nursing home. His assignment: making Sol Lewis, one of the hospital’s stingiest curmudgeons, happy. In this Tuesdays with Morrie-esque, near-coming-of-age tale Alex learns the value in taking responsibility for his actions, respect for his elders, and thinking before he acts.
Appropriate For: My cooperating teacher recommended this book to me to read for a good YA pick. The book was not exactly my personal taste in even young adult novels, but it was eminently relatable from the lens of a middle schooler. Although Alex is a high schooler, based upon my experience with seventh graders I believe that middle schoolers are the most likely to enjoy Alex’s cheeky sense of humor throughout the book.
Teach or Circulate: My CT has this book as an option for free reads in her classroom, but I do not believe she has ever taught it. For good reason too. The book is not particularly literary and nothing came to mind while I was reading in terms of possible lesson plans or unit features. However, while Sonnenblick’s writing does not make for a transcendent or standards-meeting educational experience, it is very readable, relatable voice for middle schoolers to read. Alex speaks in a funny, conversational tone throughout that may be perfect for kids who don’t always like books.
Discussion Questions
1. In the book, Alex gets a lot of things out of his community service experience. Do you think that community service is a fit legal punishment?
2. Alex communicates with people of many ages ages throughout the book. What is the value of multi-generational friendships?
I also found some good anticipatory sets online:
- First-time drinking and driving offenders should have a light sentence, especially if no one was hurt.
- Two people who are good friends cannot successfully start dating.
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2012/07/review-notes-from-midnight-driver.html
This was a cute, quick, emotionally rewarding book. I finished it all in one day, but I still felt attached to the characters. I have a soft spot in my heart for books about teenagers befriending the elderly, I guess.
I loved this book. This book was not especially well written but it was so funny it made a good impression. Very clever jokes, I was laughing to myself the entire time. Near the end the main character changed too much, I know there's supposed to be character development but he kind of changed above and beyond. But it was sooo funny!!! Great book.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. On one hand I liked the sarcastic personality, but on the other it got a little tiresome an old after a while. The premise of the novel isn't anything shocking or new, but the author handles it pretty well. Some of the plot was a little predictable, yet it surprised me in a few parts. I liked the overall book, Laurie has to be my favorite character.
I don't think I have read a bad novel my Sonnenblick. He knows how to do YA well! A really great balance between humor and seriousness. Loved this.
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sweet without being saccharine, characters felt very solid and real, and laugh out loud funny in many places. And, remarkable for a recent YA book told from a male perspective, no cheap scatological attempts at humor. Smart, engaging writing, yet Alex never feels like anything other than a real teenager ... oftentimes the kids in YA novels are so "deep" that they sound like a 40-year-old author not a teenager. Alex and Laurie are teenagers. Good sweet read.