The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.23, 2010, under Bullying, Mystery, Real life, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? If you’re curious about deaf culture, the high school social pecking order, and/or a murder mystery, check out this book! Grades 7 and up.
Why? Will Halpin, overweight and deaf, has just bagged his deaf school for the public high school because he could not stand the deaf culture politics. At Carbon High School (Pennsylvania), he immediately becomes the target of intense bullying. Because Will is perceptive and witty, his narration of this bullying makes for good reading. The “bullyers” do not look good (even though they live at the top of he school’s social echelon) and the teachers do not fare much better. Though Will has no other friends, he is not too happy when another social outcast, the hippie Devon Smiley, befriends him with some very slow signing and eventually a handheld for texting. The book’s narration includes Will’s observations, his lip reading (with many missing words), and the texts and chats of Will and Devon. This variety gives a glimpse into Will’s way of communicating and his heightened perceptions. Both come in handy when a death becomes a murder that needs to be solved. Will and Devon, of course, take it on, with surprising results. This book made me laugh out loud and think about life in a new way. Pick it up, get to know Will Halpin, and see if you agree.
The details: 250 p. 2010 Review by Samrarian
