Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. 2003. ISBN 0060502495
AWARDS:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults
ALAN Award for a Significant Contribution to Adolescent Literature
SUMMARY: Renowned young adult author Chris Crutcher was born in the 1950’s in Cascade, Idaho. His mother was an alcoholic and his father “Crutch,” was a stern and often demanding father. His older brother always led Chris into trouble with his catch phrase, “Wanna do something neat?”(Crutcher 2003). Chris was a high school and college athlete who had trouble controlling his temper when he was young. He chronicles his high school adventures, as well as his life as a therapist, and later a writer. He gives us insights into where he came up with the ideas for his stories, as well as why he has made the choices he has in his own life.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Chris Crutcher’s autobiography is a touching and humorous story. I found his memories of growing up in the 1950’s, an accurate portrayal of life in a simpler time. His life in a small town was reminiscent of my own. His family was loving, but far from perfect. Crutcher let us see the happy times in his life, as well as the bad. I think young readers will enjoy reading about his life and find a little of themselves in this memoir.
High school students deal with some of the same problems that Crutcher faced in his youth. He wrote about how his failure to control his temper, as being one of his main character flaws when he was young. Many of today’s youth struggle with their tempers. I admired him for writing about his domineering father and alcoholic mother. Many families today face dysfunction with one or more members of their families. He also discusses his lack of prowess with high school girls. High school boys and girls will relate with his shyness and clumsiness around the opposite sex. I think that high school students will also relate to his discussions about when he was a therapist treating children through Social Services. Students that have read his books will also enjoy reading about where he got some of his main characters and story ideas.
The book contains a positive message for high school students and adults as well. He shows us that through perseverance, we can achieve our goals and be successful. Although he lacked confidence and worked in several professions, he eventually was able to do what he loves, which is writing. He also credits that without his previous experiences, he wouldn’t have become the accomplished writer he is today.
I would recommend this book for high school students and adults because of the language. I think boys will enjoy it more than girls. The story might be too slow moving for reluctant readers.
REVIEWS:
Booklist Starred Review:
“Gr. 8-12. Like his novels, Crutcher's autobiography is full of heartbreak, poignancy, and hilarity. Candid and casual, Crutcher shares stories from his childhood and adolescence in Cascade, Idaho. Reminiscences of some of his youthful rites of passage are laugh-out-loud funny, such as his humiliating initiation into his high-school athletic club. On a more serious note, he discusses his occasionally rocky relationships with his parents and siblings. He talks openly about his struggles with a bad temper that constantly got him into trouble, how he came to terms with questions about God, how he confronted intolerance, and how he found his own place in the world. He also shares several painful glimpses into his work as a child and family therapist trying to help people heal some very broken lives. This honest, insightful, revealing autobiography is a joy to read. Crutcher's fans will relish this intimate glimpse of the author, and the book may win some new readers for his fiction.”
Publishers Weekly Review:
"In this funny, bittersweet and brutally honest autobiography, Crutcher recounts his journey from a boyhood misspent in remote Cascade, Idaho, to his present life as a writer," wrote PW in a starred review. All ages.”
RESOURCES:
Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. 2003.
Chris Crutcher website.
HarperCollins website.
Learning About Chris Crutcher website.
Images by Google Images.
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