Calvin: A Novel - Hardcover

Leavitt, Martine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374380732 ISBN 13: 9780374380731

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2015

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Calvin has always known his fate is linked to the comic book character from Calvin & Hobbes. He was born on the day the last strip was published; his grandpa left a stuffed tiger named Hobbes in his crib; and he even has a best friend named Susie. As a child Calvin played with the toy Hobbes, controlling his every word and action, until Hobbes was washed to death. But now Calvin is a teenager who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, Hobbes is back―as a delusion―and Calvin can't control him. Calvin decides that if he can convince Bill Watterson to draw one final comic strip, showing a normal teenaged Calvin, he will be cured. Calvin and Susie (and Hobbes) set out on a dangerous trek across frozen Lake Erie to track him down.

About this title

About the Author:

Martine Leavitt has written several award-winning novels for young adults, including My Book of Life by Angel, which garnered five starred reviews and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist; Keturah and Lord Death, a finalist for the National Book Award; and Heck Superhero, a finalist for the Governor General's Award. She lives in Alberta, Canada.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 8 Up—Coincidences abound in Calvin's life: he was born on the day the last Calvin & Hobbes cartoon strip was published, his grandpa gave him a stuffed tiger called Hobbes when he was a kid, and his best friend was even named Susie. However, she became beautiful and stopped being his friend. When Calvin is diagnosed with schizophrenia, he believes that Bill Watterson is the key to curing him of the illness and he must escape the hospital to meet the famously reclusive artist. The teen, along with an eight-foot-tall version of Hobbes (who is imaginary) and Susie (who may or may not be imaginary), journeys across frozen Lake Erie to track down Watterson. This is a gentle and unique story about a boy struggling with schizophrenia; while Calvin is indeed having grandiose visions that include a beloved cartoon character, he is funny, charming, and smart. Even though Calvin's stream-of-consciousness rants can drag the story down, the premise that Susie may or may not be on this dangerous trek with the protagonist will keep readers interested. There are genuinely beautiful moments in the writing throughout; however, the ending is too pat and feels contrived, which will leave some readers unsatisfied. VERDICT Sweet, romantic, and funny, but flawed.—Laura Lutz, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0374380732
• ISBN 13: 9780374380731
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192