Monkey Tag - Hardcover

Fromm, Pete

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0590465252 ISBN 13: 9780590465250

Publisher: Scholastic, 1994

Synopsis

A coming-of-age novel in the tradition of Death Be Not Proud tells of a boy's struggle with faith that follows the tragic accident that took his brother's life.

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Reviews

Grade 6-8-Although the premise and beginning are interesting, this coming-of-age novel drags on endlessly. Thad, a seventh grader, is paralyzed in a fall from some bleachers during a game of monkey tag with his twin brother, Eli. Eli feels guilt for his part in the near-fatal accident and vows to help him walk again. Eli's belief systems, especially his notion of God, are severely challenged as his prayers seemingly go unanswered. While he struggles with his philosophical problems, Thad makes a slow and painful journey toward recovery. With his brother's support, his wheelchair gives way to braces, then crutches, and finally he is able to shed even them. While Fromm tackles timely and critical issues, the book suffers from wooden, underdeveloped characters and trite dialogue. It fails to give readers new insights into either faith or sibling relationships.
Tim Rausch, Crescent View Middle School, Sandy, UT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A near-tragic accident redefines the relationship between identical twins in this uneven novel. Playing with a group of friends, 12-year-old brothers Thad and Eli Martin indulge in a forbidden game of monkey tag, which involves swinging hand-over-hand along the steel girders underneath the high school bleachers. A terrible spill paralyzes Thad from the waist down, leaving Eli consumed with guilt and with aching doubts about the existence of God.The religious themes are handled somewhat clunkily; the Martins go to church regularly but don't know how to help Eli with his anger at God, and dialogue often sounds more like snatches of a '50s TV show than the conversation of a real family. However, Fromm (Indian Creek Chronicles) renders the family's struggle to deal with the aftermath of the accident with honesty and authenticity, and he draws the relationship between the boys tenderly yet grittily. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 4-7. While playing monkey tag (a forbidden game that involves swinging on the supports beneath the high-school bleachers) with his 12-year-old twin, Eli, and some friends, Thad tumbles through the metal framework to the ground. He survives, paralyzed from the waist down. Meanwhile, Eli endures a wide range of emotions (fear that he may be partly responsible for the accident, guilt that he still can walk and run, and anger that God could allow such a tragedy) that leads to uncertainty about his Catholic faith. Questioning one's beliefs is the real focus here, and, curiously, Eli's doubts are as debilitating as Thad's physical disability. Although Thad eventually recovers his ambulatory powers, Eli's faith remains shaky. A thoughtful, if somewhat lengthy, story that will probably appeal most to parochial school audiences. Kay Weisman

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0590465252
• ISBN 13: 9780590465250
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336