katekintailbc | Tangerine by Edward Bloor (Reply)

Tangerine
by Edward Bloor
(Audio)

I started reading this book because I donated at DonorsChoose to a classroom in my state wanting to read this book. Considering I was hoping students would read it, I figured I should read it as well! So I went into it thinking it was a good book. And I was surprised at HOW good a book it was, considering I hadn't heard much about it before hand.

The story centers around a middle school student named Paul Fisher. He's legally blind, but wears strong glasses that let him see fine, play soccer, and live a normal life... assuming his family doesn't get in the way. The Fishers move from Texas to a small town in Florida, which was once known for its Tangerine trees. The town is a complete mess. There are rich people who can't see what's going on under their noses. There are storms every day with lightning that kills. There's a sinkhole that takes out half Paul's school. And that's when things get seriously interesting. Paul transfers to Tangerine middle school, which is filled with kids from working class families. And even though there's a HUGE difference in classes, which is highlighted in the book, the book never comes right out and stabs you with it. It's just Paul trying to fit in and trying to be a normal kid.

All the reviews will say that, even though he's legally blind, he seems what others can't. The thing is, it's not because he's observant... it's because he's normal and everyone around him is crazy. His brother is insane (the beginning scene is basically Erik trying to kill Paul and then everyone loving how well Erik kicks a football). His friends who risk their lives in sub-freezing conditions to look after their families' groves are amazing. Paul gets put in tough situations with tough people, but he remains calm and seems to know exactly how to act. No way would I have ever had such social awareness at his age; it's like a super power. And you just can't help but root for him and want him to succeed, even when life throws another awful thing at him.

The ending was insanely satisfying and, yet, realistic. It definitely ended exactly as I'd hoped it would. Even if I gasped a number of times during the book and even teared up a couple times.

I don't really even like soccer, but the soccer story in here was fantastic. I can see why this book would easily appeal to both boys and girls. In fact, this is a perfect book for a classroom to read. There are tons of issues, tons of metaphors, and tons of discussion topics.