Uncle Daddy
| Uncle Daddy | |
|---|---|
 Cover of hardcover 1st edition | |
| Author | Ralph Fletcher |
| Genre | Young Adult |
| Publisher | Clarion Books |
Publication date | April 1, 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 144 |
| ISBN | 978-0-395-87323-6 |
| OCLC | 38216537 |
| LC Class | PZ7.F632115 Fl 1998 |
Uncle Daddy is a young adult novel written by Ralph Fletcher, first published in 2001. It was awarded a Christopher Medal in the Books for Young People, ages 10–12 category in 2002.
Plot summary
Rivers's father abandoned his wife and son when the son is three years old, he goes out to get a pizza and does not come back. His mother's uncle moves in and becomes "Uncle Daddy". Rivers is living a fairly typical life for a nine year old boy when his father returns after a six year absence. The return of Rivers's father threatens to tear the family apart until Uncle Daddy suffers a near fatal heart attack. Rivers and his parents come together to support Uncle Daddy.
Reception
Roger Sutton in his review for Horn Book Magazine said that "Rivers's narration is open and vulnerable, and readers will feel a ready empathy, not to mention a wish for an Uncle Daddy of their own."[1] Heide Piehler said in her review for School Library Journal that this novel will "appeal to readers who want an alternative to the grim realism of much contemporary fiction."[2] Carol Otis Hurst in her review for Teaching Pre K-8 said that "this short novel is a tear-jerker and Uncle Daddy is almost too good to ring true, but the plot survives -- and so does Uncle Daddy. Rivers' father has some reasons but no excuses for abandoning his family and their anger is realistically presented."[3] Nancy Johnson in her review for The Reading Teacher said that "Ralph Fletcher's realistic relationship between adults is convincing while the hero status imposed by Rivers on his great-uncle provides a child's perspective of a relative who went beyond the common familial relationships to provide a safe and secure environment for loved ones."[4]
Awards
Uncle Daddy was awarded a Christopher Medal in the Books for Young People, ages 10–12 category in 2002.[5][6]
Notes
- ↑ Sutton, Roger (July/August 2001). Horn Book Magazine 77 (4): 450. ISSN 0018-5078.
- ↑ Piehler, Heide (May 2001). "Uncle Daddy (Book Review)". School Library Journal 47 (5): 149. ISSN 0362-8930.
- ↑ Hurst, Carol Otis (August/September 2001). "Into the Unknown". Teaching Pre K-8 32 (1): 110. ISSN 0891-4508.
- ↑ Johnson, Nancy J (March 1, 2002). "Intergenerational". Reading Teacher: 602. ISSN 0034-0561.
- ↑ "The Christophers, Inc.". Archived from the original on 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
- ↑ Cara Falcetti; Blanchard, Mary Warner (2006). Poets for Young Adults: Their Lives and Works. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-313-32884-6.