 | Courtesy of the Inlander, June 2, 2005. Click image for larger view.
http://www.inlander.com |
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Reviews
"This witty book lacks violence, sex, bad language, or even real villains, but it raises a lot of issues involving religion, tolerance, and censorship in amusing and thoughtful ways, a charming treatment of a serious topic with substance enough for kids and adults."
Locus Magazine, December 2005
"Crutcher takes the fad in authorial intrusion one better, inserting himself as a character in this metafictional novel with a ... highly entertaining plot."
STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly (June 6, 2005)
"This clever, spirited post-modern meta-narrative is a quick read that is bound to be controversial. It has no profanity, sexual acts, drug or alcohol use, or bloody violence but takes dead aim at censors."|
STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
“This oft-censored author entertains, inspires, invites intellectual inquiry and concedes well-meaning motives to both sides . . . a lot to pack into a novel, but when did Crutcher ever pack light?”
STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus
"... themes of senseless tragedy and intellectual freedom serve as a natural postscript to [Crutcher's] memoir, but this isn't nonfiction. In fact, it defies categorization, offering up a smorgasbord of literaty devices ... elective mutism, a narrator from beyond the grave, and a plot in which the author himself plays a major role."
Booklist, May 15, 2005
"Crutcher's best book yet ... It's going to win awards and spark debates."
"Crutcher bravely explores the explosive issue of banned books."
Seattle Times, June 4, 2005
"[Crutcher] reaches out to readers on issues of bigotry, prejudice, and censorship ... an excellent, mind-provoking read that stays with the reader long after the ending."
J. A. Kaszuba Locke, for BookLoons.
"...this provocative and highly entertaining novel will be THE talk novel of the year."
Sue Corbett, Miami Herald Reviewer
for Capitol Choices
"I swear, Chris Crutcher is writing himself into my heart even as he’s writing himself into his own books! As it details the life history of a banned book from a teenager’s perspective, The Sledding Hill is a brilliant chronicle about censorship in literature and its effect on personal freedom. But this book speaks to my heart because it’s a story about undying friendship and the vast capacity for reasoning in the most unreasonable kids. I can’t think of a better kick in the pants to launch the Wild Rumpus Banned Book Club."
Collette Morgan, Wild Rumpus Books
2005 Summer BookSense Pick
"THE SLEDDING HILL is as important as it is enjoyable to read."
TeenReads.com, May 10, 2005
"Crutcher turns crusader in this story of a boy who has lost too much to let a book be taken away from him."
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, June 2005
"Some folks will say this book is all about censorship and the fight for intellectual freedom. Others will talk about its examination of death and loss. Still others might notice the discussion about what makes for a good book or a good teacher. It touches on conflict and the nature of disagreement and how polarizing people never accomplishes anything."
Teri Lesesne, The Goddess of YA Lit
http://www.livejournal.com/users/professornana/
"...there are going to be a bunch of huffing, puffing, scowling preachers when they start getting an earful of Billy Bartholomew. But they're going to have a bit of a problem deep-sixing this baby. Crutcher's written a book without ANY 'naughty' words. Not a single f-word, sh-word, n-word, b-word, or a-h word. If they want to ban THE SLEDDING HILL from school libraries, they're going to have to get it banned because of Billy Bartholomew's blatantly blasphemous revelations."
Richie Partington, Richie's Picks
February 22, 2005 |
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COMING MAY 2005
THE SLEDDING HILL
by Chris Crutcher
Billy Bartholomew has an audacious soul, and he knows it. Why? Because it's all he has left. He's dead.
Eddie Proffit has an equally audacious soul, but he doesn't know it. He's still alive.
These days, Billy and Eddie meet on the sledding hill, where they used to spend countless hours -- until Billy kicked a stack of sheetrock over on himself, breaking his neck and effectively "tilting" his Earthgame. The two were inseparable friends. They still are. And Billy is not about to let a little thing like death stop him from hanging in there with Eddie in his epic struggle to get his life back on track.
Harpercollins/Greenwillow
ISBN 0060502444
$15.99 ($22.99 in Canada)
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 | Look for more about THE SLEDDING HILL very soon!
"A book about a banned book by the author of nine previous books -- all of them banned." |
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Chris Crutcher
 I have put my adult reading on hold temporarily to catch up on some teen novels. I have to say that I have really enjoyed them. Authors who write for teenagers know that they have to incorporate substance and style into fewer pages. These books make you think about issues and relationships in a more direct way than adult books do. And, after reading so many, I can't believe that authors still keep coming up with new (or novel!)ways to present material. I have to tell you about the last one I read -- it's called The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher. Crutcher has written other young adult novels that you may have read or heard about, such as Ironman and Stotan. He's a good, solid dependable author -- and this title is no exception. He uses what appears to be a popular device lately -- that of having the protagonist be dead. Billy Bartholomew (who died in an accident) talks his best friend, Eddie through a difficult time. The topics covered in this novel are censorship, religion and relationships. Chris Crutcher puts himself into the novel as the controversial author (and very cool guy) in question. He places himsefl as a character in his own novel! I thought this was a very effective presentation and led to a satisfying read. It even made me check out Chris Crutcher's website, which is mentioned in the book! If you've never read one of his books, The Sledding Hill is a great one to start with -- enjoy!
# posted by Michele @ 12:22 PM |
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