Jack Gantos‘s Dead End in Norvelt is a funny middle-grade book about a young man growing up in a town founded by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Jack gets in trouble with his parents and spends the rest of the book grounded. His only amusement is helping the eccentric neighbor woman, Miss Volker. As amusements go, Miss Volker turns out more interesting than Jack expects. He soon finds himself embroiled in town history, a decades-old love story, and a mystery. Why are the old Norvelt ladies dropping like flies?

In the background is an ongoing argument between the book’s adults about whether to stay in a dead-end town. Jack’s parents are on different sides, which makes home tense at times.

The characters are quirky, but believably well-rounded, and Jack is particularly enjoyable. Furthermore, the book manages to touch on a plethora of intense topics with humor, but enough sensitivity that it’s never crass. This probably explains the Newbery for Dead End in Norvelt. If you enjoy historical fiction (mid twentieth century) or well-written middle-grade books, this one might be for you.

Like your historical fiction a bit older? Try Mazie.