Tangerine Author:Edward Bloor Paul Fisher's older brother has always been the football-playing hero of the family. But when the Fishers move to Tangerine, Florida, Paul enters a place where weird is normal. And suddenly the blind can see. — TANGERINE was named a 1997 American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, an ALA Top-Ten Best Book, a Horn Book Fanfare Book, a Publishers Week... more »ly Best Book of the Year, and an Edgar Award Nominee.
From the back cover:
Paul Fisher's older brother is a high school football star, but to Paul he's no hero. Paul's own game is soccer, which he plays even though he has to wear thick glasses because of a mysterious eye injury. When the Fishers move to Tangerine, Florida, Paul tries to make sense of things. But it's not easy. In Tangerine, underground fires burn for years and lightning strikes the same practice field every day. Strange things happen here all the time -- but nothing is stranger than the secrets Paul discovers about his brother, his new group of friends, and his own dangerous past.« less
Great for a teen who loves sports action (in this case, soccer). Fascinating setting and well-written characters--you will really feel for Paul as he struggles to fit into his family and his new town. However, there are some strange references early in the book which may mistakenly lead you to believe that there will be some sort of supernatural monster attacking him. Don't wait for it to show up; it was just an unfortunate metaphor.
My son had to read this book for school, and since he is legally blind, I read it to him.
The main character, Paul, goes through main different struggles. He has to deal with a threatening, abusive older brother and his mean friend; fitting in to a new school; being accepted on the soccer team and being different - as he is legally blind. My son and I were always eager to continue on the days reading for the book. It deals with anger, abuse, jealousy and even death. My 13 year old son liked this book better than any of the other chapter books that we have read together before. It worked especially well for us, since my son and the main character are both legally blind.
I read this book because it was the book for a buck in Scholastic's book order several years ago. When I began I was unsure seemed like a big Sports book and I am not a sports kind of reader.
I realized after a few pages that this journal entry stlye text was a mystery and an expose on life in general. Many people deal with intense issues in their personal lives: poverty, gangs, racial bias, relocation, abuse, neglect, crime, sports, extended family---including in-laws, friends, teen games/pranks, fights, trying to fit in, limited abilities/disabilities, dreams, choices; TANGERINE touches them all. this book is about life.
It's strength lies in the fact that, I believe, all readers can connect and see a meaningful message for themselves in the lives presented through the words of Paul Fisher.
PERFECT FOR YOUNG READERS-- and the young at heart.
This is one of the best book we've read with the kids here. The story is told by the middle school boy remembering his past and see what's happening where many others don't. Very good message.
