Donuthead

Rating:
Summary: A tasty read.
Review: Franklin Delano Donuthead has a problem or two --- his name, for starters. He also worries constantly about his own health and safety. One side of his body is growing faster than the other. It's less than an inch, yet Franklin measures every day. He memorizes the probabilities of his death in different ways --- car accidents, drowning, etc. --- and is on first-name terms with Gloria, the chief statistician for the National Safety Department. He calls her frequently.

Franklin's concerns never stop: he stresses over girls and ponders the possibility of his mother finding a husband. She points out that she is hampered by his habit of interviewing her dates and handing them medical questionnaires.

New kid Sarah Kervick slouches into Franklin's ordered and hygienic world. She doesn't brush her hair, has a few brown teeth, and doesn't bother to wear warm clothes or mask her attitude. He hasn't known Sarah ten minutes before she's socking the school bully. Franklin's teacher assigns him to help Sarah adjust to her new school. Soon, Sarah and Franklin's mother become friends, and his mom even hires Sarah to help teach Franklin to play baseball.

Before Franklin can say "please wash your hands before touching me," he is involved with "rude, law-breaking and violent" Sarah. He is disgusted with this state of affairs. However, Franklin soon discovers a hidden side to Sarah. Her dreams, abilities and home life challenge his opinion of her. Sarah's life makes him view his own problems in a new light.

Franklin tells his story so humorously that his self-centeredness is quirky rather than obnoxious. The comic tone is balanced by a few surprisingly sad moments. The conclusion, demonstrating how Franklin has changed, is hilarious yet sweet.

Anyone hungry for a helping of belly laughs plus a tender side dish of unexpected friendship should find DONUTHEAD a tasty read.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (...)

Rating:
Summary: Funny, with realistic portrayal of mother-son relationship
Review: I agree with the other reviewers that this is a wonderful story with a quirky narrator that kids can identify with in one way or another. Franklin is insecure, lonely, and smart. The relationship between Franklin and his mother (Franklin's father is a sperm donor) is the most heart-wrenching in the book. Both are disappointed with one another in some way. Franklin's mother wants him to be more normal, play ball, etc. and Franklin wishes that his mother would undersatand and appreciate him. "At this stage of my life, it might be nice to have a decent friend, I thought, mentally crossing my mother off the list." Franklin's mother has many great qualities, but she is not the perfect mother to Franklin. Franklin is not the "perfect" son to her. I feel like this issue was resolved in the book in a realistic way (Franklin and his mother understand each other a little better) without either character being the hero or the villain. I am a Children's Librarian and I will definitely recommend this book to my mid-grade patrons.

Rating:
Summary: HYSTERICAL!
Review: Parents-- This is a great book for kids!! Donuthead is a neurotic hypochondriac who unwillingly becomes friends with a girl who is his exact opposite. The characters are likeable, even Donuthead, and the pace is fast and fun. Be aware that there is a brief section where he discloses he was conceived via artificial insemination which could lead to a fun discussion.

Rating:
Summary: A Memorable Read
Review: The main character is neurotic and quirky as heck, but he really grew on me (in a good way). The secondary characters are well-developed, showing both sweetness and flaws. I found myself rooting for everyone.

In this original and funny novel, a hypochondriac boy, his baseball-loving mom, and a Washington Bureaucrat a long-distance phone call away work together to change the life of a tough-as-nails girl. You'll definitely laugh, and you may also cry.

This mom, along with her ten-year-old daughter, really enjoyed the book.