|
PRESS
& REVIEWS FOR OFFSIDES AND THE LAST MALL RAT
Offsides Review Exerpts:
"The controversy over sports mascots that stereotype Native Americans is effectively explored here within the rubric of high-school soccer. [A] star player['s]...struggles are realistically portrayed...Fast-paced game scenes alternating with thoughtful passages focusing on Tom's developing maturity make for a balanced, enjoyable read. -Booklist
Recommendation: Gr. 6-10
"...it's the moral tone that sets it apart from other David and Goliath sports stories...The culminating soccer game with the Warriors is a rousing model of sports-writing for young readers-even those who don't know much about soccer will be drawn in. (Fiction. 10+) -Kirkus Reviews
Press and Reviews for The Last Mall Rat (2003):
Forever
Young-Adult,
a feature article by Cathy Resmer about Erik E. Esckilsen that appeared
in Seven Days newspaper, Burlington, Vermont — Dec. 18-24,
2003 issue. The Seven Days webpage is here.
Author
interview on Vermont Public Radio, host Neal Charnoff, Dec. 18,
2003
Book
recommendation on Girlzone.com,
summer 2003 (scroll down one screen)
Review
Exerpts:
"...Readers
will recognize more than a grain of truth in Esckilsen's depiction of
mall culture, from the security guards who profile teens to shoppers
who demand clerks' undivided attention but have no real intention of
buying…there's an alluring urban-legend quality to the theme, and
kids can add this to their own stock of local mall lore."
-EB, The Bulletin
Recommendation: Gr. 6-9
"The Last Mall Rat presents a practical and ethical dilemma:
to what extent will apparently decent teenagers violate their own presumed
moral codes in order to make money?…Esckilsen's style…is initially
so hyped-up as to resemble a kid in a television commercial, but rapidly
settles down into a more deliberate voice that reflects teenage modes
of speech without calling attention to itself. This is a thoughtful
exploration of the mistakes even ordinary teens can make and —
in sometimes frightening fashion — the ways in which one's actions
can lead to serious and unintended consequences…"
-Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
School Library Journal
Recommendation: Grade 7-10
"…The setting is the town of Shunpike Falls, a deteriorating
area 'in the middle of nowhere' experiencing rising violence and skinhead
gangs. In this, his first novel, Esckilsen makes the depressing town
and its Onion River Mall convincing…With a dark sense of humor
rather like M.T. Anderson's in Burger Wuss, this is an intriguing
read for junior high students, with a convincing moral about taking
responsibility."
-Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT
Recommendation: KLIATT Codes: J
Recommended for junior high school students
"…Despite
a contrived, tidy ending, this clever, believable first novel captures
teen boredom and frustration, while never evading the moral issues.
A subplot…further underlines the importance of standing up for
what is right. Realistic dialogue and a keen sense of what matters to
teens will draw them to this quick read."
-Debbie Carton, Booklist
Recommendation: Gr. 7-10
"Although the plot of this story is a bit unusual, the familiar
setting might appeal to the many youth who hang out or are employed
at the mall. If there is a kooky kind of subculture that exists among
mall employees, this novel is one of the first since Richard Peck's
Secrets of the Shopping Mall (Delacorte, 1979) to alert readers
to such a phenomenon. Nevertheless, beyond the insider knowledge about
how mall employees really feel about the hundreds of mindless customers
who come their way lies the story of what happens when groups get caught
up in what start as simple pranks…young people will identify with
why the money-making venture of Mitch and his friends has so much appeal.
For those intrigued by the story, they will find a book that is well
written. Shelve it for those few quirky readers."
-O'Quinn, VOYA
Recommendation: VOYA Codes: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects;
Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior
High, defined as grades 7 to 9
"…The characters are stereotypical, but the author creates
a whole world in Shunpike Falls, complete with a gossipy newspaper,
class divisions and family problems... Some descriptions are clunky,
but the occasional mall lingo is fun and adds to the offbeat tone...
Despite some rough edges, this may be a good fit for readers who like
their novels on the dark and quirky side."
-Publisher's Weekly
Recommendation: Ages 12-up
"…First-time novelist Esckilsen hits readers with a succession
of varying scenes that can be difficult to follow at first, but eventually
the story becomes interesting and gains an element of suspense. It's
a credible effort."
-Kirkus Reviews
Recommendation: 12-15
|
