Who Killed Mr. Chippendale?
Glenn,
M. (1996). Who killed Mr. Chippendale?. New York, NY: Lodestar Books
Genre: Mystery & Suspense
Interest Level: Grades 9-12
Reading Level: 5.9 (Fifth Grade-Ninth Month)
Summary:
Mr. Chippendale, an English
teacher at Tower High School, is stretching on the school’s track getting ready
for his morning run when he is suddenly knocked to the ground. Because of the
glaring sun, he is unable to identify the perpetrator’s face. The offender’s words
are spiteful and narcissistic and in an odd way seem a bit psychotic. After the
perpetrator leaves, Mr. Chippendale decides it might be best to just let it go,
rather than report the incident. Tragically, a few moments later, Mr.
Chippendale is shot dead on the track.
This was such a good read! I enjoyed the writing
style of free verse; although
this poetic style isn’t written in rhyme
and doesn’t have a fixed pattern, it does have a rhythm about it. The rhythm changes with each character that
speaks. This aspect helps the reader connect with the various characters’ moods,
and personalities, as well as the cultural diversities that exist between them.
There are dozens of points of view
represented; for example, Ahmed Farraj, Bill Jones-A Neighborhood View,
Angela Falcone- Guidance Counselor, Wesley Hardin, Frank Vopucelli, Harry
Balinger-Detective, just to name a few. With each page, the point of view, mood, and rhythm changes, for instance:
Celia Campbell:
I hope no one sees me crying. I hope his soul goes straight to heaven.
What that man did for me,
I don’t have words for it. He made me feel smarter than I am.
I hope his soul goes straight to hell.
What that man did to me,
I don’t have the words for it.
He made me feel stupider than I am.
The Note:
I don’t know what you are doing.
I don’t know what you are trying to prove.
I only know you should leave Mr. Chippendale
Alone.
Let him be forgotten, and me remembered.
He’s not that important; I am.
No comments:
Post a Comment