Sunday, March 13, 2011

Tangerine by Edward Bloor


Bibliography
Bloor, E. (1997). Tangerine. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company.

294 pages

Plot
Paul Fisher is a middle school student who has just moved from Houston, Texas to Tangerine County, Florida. The move marks his father’s new job working for the city, his brother’s new popularity at high school, his mother’s reign over the home owner’s association, and Paul’s transition into a new school. However, transitioning is not easy, when you are legally blind and the only explanation is that you’ve stared at a solar eclipse for too long. Nevertheless, life for Paul is somewhat normal; he makes a friend in Josh, tries out for the soccer team at his Junior High School, and is still afraid of his brother. On the other hand, the move begins a series of events that cause Paul to question his eyesight, morals, and life as a whole.

Review
Tangerine is an interesting novel. Written as Paul’s journal, Bloor’s novel is an excellent example of characterization and interesting situations. Paul’s character is true to form, his decisions match his experiences; he does not feel hampered with his eyesight, his actions are motivated by his desires to play soccer, and his treatment of others are determined by thoughtful impressions. The situations though are what really set this book apart. While originally they seem to be unrelated, Paul’s reactions to each help him to remember his past and impact his whole person. Ultimately, the novel provides tweens with the ability to question the situations, the character’s reaction, and what you would do in such a situation.

Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level
This novel should appeal to readers in grades 6-8.

Similar Content
Novels by Walter Dean Myers, Chris Crutcher.

Personal thoughts
I found this novel to be interesting. The book at first does not really fit an overall purpose, but more of a collection of experiences that impact Paul, his family and the community. However, at the conclusion, the book comes together making the reader think about what has just happened.

Subjects/themes
Social Differences
Environment
Family Life
Death
Violence
Redemption

Awards
American Library Association Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2003
Edgar Award nomination for Best Young Adult Novel, 1998
American Booksellers Association Pick of the List, 1997
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 1997
"Horn Book" Fanfare Book
A "BCCB" Blue Ribbon Book

Series information
No known series

Character names/descriptions
Paul Fisher: The protagonist, who is legally blind. Wants to play soccer.

Tino and Victor: Players on the Tangerine Middle School Soccer Team

Joey: Paul’s friend.

Erik Fisher: Paul’s brother, who is somewhat of a bully.

Annotation
Paul Fisher, a thirteen year old, who has just moved to Florida, desperately wants to play soccer. However, visions and memories from the past plague him. What actually happened?

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