“The Dump” is what Doug Swieteck calls his new home in upstate New York. He lands there in the summer of 1968, when the Apollo space missions are under way, Joe Pepitone is slugging for the New York Yankees, and the Vietnam War is raging. At home he lives with a father who has lost his way and a brother accused of robbery. And Doug’s oldest brother is returning from Vietnam. Who knows what wounds his missions have given him? But Doug has his own mission, too, and it begins when he first sees the plates of John James Audubon’s Birds of America at the local library. His mission will lead him to Lil Spicer, who shows him how to drink a really cold Coke, to Mrs. Windermere, who drags him to a theater opening, and to the customers of his Saturday grocery deliveries, who together will open a world as strange to him as the lunar landscape.Swieteck, who first appeared in Gary D. Schmidt’s Newbery Honor book The Wednesday Wars, will discover the transforming power of art over disaster in a story about creativity and loss, love and recovery, and survival.
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"Until I read this, I never thought i could feel like crying my eyes out and laughing my head off all in the same book. This was a masterpiece. I absolutely loved it. Mr. Gary D. Schmit is a true genius. He made a book that would appeal to everyone. This book is literature at its best" — Mo1357 (5 out of 5 stars)
"Until I read this, I never thought i could feel like crying my eyes out and laughing my head off all in the same book. This was a masterpiece. I absolutely loved it. Mr. Gary D. Schmit is a true genius. He made a book that would appeal to everyone. This book is literature at its best"
" Loved it. I like Gary Schmidt. This book is funny, sad, and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. I love how he ties things together. Good read. "
" This starts out as another tiresome would-be Holden Caufield shrugging through life as the victim of bullies. It rapidly turns darker and reveals the story of a family brutalized by an alcoholic father. With the support of an artistic librarian and a girl in his class, the young man adapts and excels through a series of entirely unbelievable events. "
" I liked how the main character didn't say things. Felt authentic. "
" i like realistic books where the kids act and speak like kids. this book doesn't always do that but it shows some good examples of how he positively (if not realistically) dealt with very huge challenges at home (his father is sadistic bully) and at home (his teachers are cruel and insensitive). "
" ok, a little hard to take with all the negative offset by super positive. "
" This was a good book. And I'm not lying. "
" This book brought me back to jr. high. I laughed out loud at some of it and fell right back into middle school with other parts. A great read! "
" Best book I've read this year. Period. "
" One of my favorite books ever. The content was unusual and wonderful and the author's writing style was delightful! "
" Long chapters. Extremely well written. Only complaint is that the phrase, "I'm not lying," is repeated way, way too much. Other than that, it was terrific, and I'm not lying. "
" Loved the book but wondered if was really the kind of thing teens would be into or whether it's the kind of book their parents, teachers, librarians or other grown ups would imagine or want them to be into. "
" I loved the restrait and skill in which the writer has Doug slowly transform his life. "
" I would recommend this book to any one willing to read. I could barely put it down it was so amazing! "
" I am shocked at how much I truly loved this book. The writing is superb, just a fantastic story. I can't wait to read it with my girls again in a few years. "
" Such a heart-warming story of painful middle school years! "
" Such a great book, I loved it! "
" WHAT KIND OF ENDING WAS THAT?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! That is all I have to say on the matter. "
" I liked It it was super good though i thought there were to many details but it was Okay "
" Wonderful voice. Interesting plot progression. Happy ending. "
" I really liked this book. Sad and happy and lots of emotions. Where's the 4 1/2 stars when I need them? That's what I would rate it. "
" I was reading and reading and reading. Finally a really good book in a million years! "
" great book! love the characters - good for middle school boys "
" This book is hard to read, because you know the father is physically abusing the kid, but the writing is so compelling! "
" A heartbreakingly great novel filled with funny situations, true to life sadness and characters to love. "
" Another librarian got this as a galley & loved it. I could not wait for it to be published. I loved the companion, The Wednesday Wars and loved this one even more. A quick read but the story stays with you long after you finish the book & you will cheer for Doug.... "
" This is a great book. I'm not lying. I think I'm too critical of endings and this one has a doozy. The author's writing style is fantastic! Really, everyone should read this and tell me what you think. "
" I am trying to decide which I love more, this or Wednesday wars. This one is a little darker, but I love Doug. He has such a good heart. I laughed an cried with him and for him. "
" Loved it. Darker and not as funny as the Wednesday Wars, but still amazing. "
" AMAZING. Fantastic. Possibly even better than The Wednesday Wars. I love it, I love it, I love it. The end. "
" I didn't think I could love a book more than I loved The Wednesday Wars...I was wrong! All I can say is...WOW!! "
" I absolutely loved this book! I've loved everything I've read by him! "
" This book is full of surprises. "
Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy and the Newbery Honor book The Wednesday Wars. He is a professor of English at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Lincoln Hoppe is an accomplished actor of stage and screen with several films, plays, television shows, and numerous audiobooks to his credit. His audiobook narrations have earned him nine AudioFile Earphones Awards. His diverse voice characterizations can be heard on animated films, video games, and commercials across the globe. He is a member of the Lost Angeles Comedy Sportz Improv Company.
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