James Hoff has a manifesto of sorts. It is his belief that we need to destroy all cars and get back to walking. We cannot fix the problems of a consumer society by making cars that get better mileage (from 10 to 12 mpg). We simply need to park them somewhere. Then, we need to most likely destroy the consumerism that seems to have overtaken so much of America.
However, when he hands this in as an example of a persuasive essay, his English teacher does not see the submission as persuasive as James does. In a series of essays, conversations and narrative, readers come to know James and his likes, dislikes, desires, fears, and dreams. Reminiscent of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LARRY by Janet Tashjian, this novel examines not only the flaws of a society that consumes more than it produces, it also presents a teen who is sidetracked by some of the typical angst-y issues: friendships, girls. parents.
POSSIBLE READING LADDER RUNGS:
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LARRY (and its 2 sequels) by Janet Tashjian
NEW RULES OF HIGH SCHOOL by Blake Nelson
AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green
