Module 12: How Angel peterson Got His Name

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

by Gary Paulsen

Summary: Gary Paulsen goes back to the late 40's and early 50's to relive his early teenage years and the crazy things he and his friends did to pass the time.  Some of these adventures include skiing while being pulled behind a car, riding down a waterfall in a barrel, and the creation of the first skateboard. 

Paulsen, G. (2003).  How Angel Peterson got his name. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

My Impression:  I really enjoyed this book and give it an A for kids 13 and older.  This book is quite engaging and will leave boys wanting to know what stunt Paulsen and his buddies will choose next.  This will be a great read for reluctant readers and daring boys.  This book does contain one incident where the boys see a sign and much like young boys do take it out of context.  In my opinion it turned what could be a great read for boys of all ages to a great read for middle school boys.

Professional Reviews:

Booklist
 

Gr. 6-9. Every boy who is 13 or about to be 13 or who remembers being 13 should read this short story collection based on people and events from Paulsen's own life.  Even though the action takes place 50 or so years ago, they will recognize themselves.  And every girl who has ever liked a 13-year-old-boy, or been related to one, or wondered about one, should read this too, because although the book doesn't explain why boys like to do things like pee on electric fences, it does give us insight into how their funny little minds work.  Writing with humor and sensitivity, Paulsen shows boys moving into adolescence believing they can do anything: wrestle with bears; shoot waterfalls in a barrel; fly eight-by-twelve-foot Army surplus kites-and hang on, even as they land in the chicken coop.  None of them dies (amazingly), and even if Paulsen exaggerates the teensiest bit, his tales are side-splittingly funny and more than a little frightening.

DeCandido, G. A. (2002, December 15). How Angel Peterson got his name [Review of the book How Angel Peterson got his name, by G. Paulsen]. Booklist, 99(8), 754. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/

Library Uses:  Do a book talk or create a display that says, "Do your spring break plans include riding barrels down waterfalls, wrestling bears, or jumping through a flame of fire on a bike?"  Read How Angel Peterson Got His Name to read how Paulsen and his friends spent their time outside of school.