Crutcher, C. (2006). The Sledding Hill. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Summary
A traumatic event has resulted in Eddie becoming silent or mute. He found his father and best friend's dead bodies. His friend dead friend Billy has come back to Earth to help Eddie through this hard time. He visits him in his dreams and gains his confidence. When he Eddie returns to school, he struggles to get through without Billy. Billy's father is the school janitor and he becomes a companion for Eddie. He had previously helped him deal with his ADD problems. A English teacher wants to ban a book, Warren Peece, and it happens to be a book that Eddie enjoys reading. He begins to start a counter attack against the move to remove the book. He sees it as a way to fight for freedom. This fight causes Eddie to get his voice back literally and of course figuratively. By the end, Billy sees that he is not needed anymore. Eddie has become comfortable with himself and around others. His voice is back so Billy's purpose is done.
Commentary
This book is interesting because the protagonists are males in a realistic setting not in a science fiction or alternate society. The older intermediate grades would find it interesting because the character is fighting against what he sees as not fair. Even though he looses, the readers can identify with go against rules or systems that seem unjust. The theme of censorship and reaction to death are topics that can lead to great discussion in upper grades classrooms.
Connections
Interview with Chris Crutcher
Connection with text
While reading this book I immediately thought of Speak. Both characters have selected to become mute because something traumatic happened to them. I also thought of Crenshaw. Both stories have a non real character that helps a real character through a tough time. This novel deals with theme of dealing with authority and how to fight against what one thinks is unfair. The relationship between the main characters Billy and Eddie show how males can have deep lasting friendships and youth.
A traumatic event has resulted in Eddie becoming silent or mute. He found his father and best friend's dead bodies. His friend dead friend Billy has come back to Earth to help Eddie through this hard time. He visits him in his dreams and gains his confidence. When he Eddie returns to school, he struggles to get through without Billy. Billy's father is the school janitor and he becomes a companion for Eddie. He had previously helped him deal with his ADD problems. A English teacher wants to ban a book, Warren Peece, and it happens to be a book that Eddie enjoys reading. He begins to start a counter attack against the move to remove the book. He sees it as a way to fight for freedom. This fight causes Eddie to get his voice back literally and of course figuratively. By the end, Billy sees that he is not needed anymore. Eddie has become comfortable with himself and around others. His voice is back so Billy's purpose is done.
Commentary
This book is interesting because the protagonists are males in a realistic setting not in a science fiction or alternate society. The older intermediate grades would find it interesting because the character is fighting against what he sees as not fair. Even though he looses, the readers can identify with go against rules or systems that seem unjust. The theme of censorship and reaction to death are topics that can lead to great discussion in upper grades classrooms.
Connections
Interview with Chris Crutcher
Connection with text
While reading this book I immediately thought of Speak. Both characters have selected to become mute because something traumatic happened to them. I also thought of Crenshaw. Both stories have a non real character that helps a real character through a tough time. This novel deals with theme of dealing with authority and how to fight against what one thinks is unfair. The relationship between the main characters Billy and Eddie show how males can have deep lasting friendships and youth.
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