The 10 p.m. Question

by Kate De Goldi

Overview

“Gorgeously written, this bittersweet chronicle of family complexities is wise but never pat—a masterful meditation on anxiety and courage that will be savored by thoughtful readers.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Twelve-year-old Frankie Parsons is a talented kid with a quirky family, a best friend named Gigs, and a voice of anxiety constantly nibbling in his head: Could that kidney-shaped spot on his chest be a galloping cancer? Are the smoke alarm batteries dead? Has his cat, the Fat Controller, given them all worms? Only Ma, who never leaves home, takes Frankie’s worries seriously. But then, it is Ma who is the cause of the most troubling question of all, the one Frankie can never bring himself to ask. When a new girl arrives at school—a daring free spirit with unavoidable questions of her own—Frankie’s carefully guarded world begins to unravel, leading him to a painful confrontation with the ultimate 10 p.m. question. Deftly told with humor, poignancy, and an endearing cast of characters, The 10 P.M. Question will touch everyone who has ever felt set apart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763658489
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/08/2012
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.56(w) x 8.31(h) x 0.71(d)
Lexile:	830L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 15 Years

About the Author

Kate De Goldi is the author of numerous short stories, collections, and novels for adults and children, including the much-lauded The 10 P.M. Question as well as the young adult novel Eddy, Eddy. She lives in New Zealand.

Editorial Reviews

Nearly every character… is a loving, talented, unforgettable eccentric whose dialogue, much like De Goldi’s richly phrased narration, combines heart-stopping tenderness with perfectly timed, deliciously zany humor. Readers from early teens through adults will be drawn to this beautifully nuanced, unsentimental view of family life, friendship, the heroic requirements of growing up, and the rewards of speaking the unspeakable out loud.
—Booklist (starred review)

Gorgeously written, this bittersweet chronicle of family complexities is wise but never pat—a masterful meditation on anxiety and courage that will be savored by thoughtful readers.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Deeply moving in its portrait of an overly responsible child picking his way along the edge of adolescence.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

A moving tale about the challenges of family life and being different. The book is highly descriptive and a great deal of it is made up of Frankie’s memories, which establish his character and give readers insight into his life. They will not only feel his anxiety, but also understand where it comes from.
—School Library Journal

Characterization and relationship dynamics are skillfully realized at all levels, from Frankie’s terminally exasperated sister to his formerly delinquent brother to his cheerfully workaholic dad; even Frankie’s corrections-officer-turned-teacher and burly bus driver add dimension and clarity to Frankie’s year of burgeoning self-awareness.
—Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books

What is the answer to the 10 p.m. question? Perhaps it is that there is beauty in imperfection and all you need is love.
—VOYA

An exquisitely told story with just the right amount of humor to counter the pathos.
—Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

Gr 6–8—Aside from being a nervous wreck and hypochondriac, 12-year-old Frankie thinks his life in New Zealand is pretty normal. He and his friend Gigs love cricket, swimming, and making up their own language. When a new girl enters his class, though, he begins to question everything. Sydney is a carefree soul who has been in 22 schools because her mother moves a lot. She is loud, doesn't care what others think of her, and is constantly asking questions. As he gets to know her, Frankie learns that Sydney's mother may be a prostitute who leaves Sydney oftentimes alone to care for her younger siblings. This infuriates him and also forces him to think about his own unusual home life, which includes his mother having not left the house in nine years. Although rather slow moving in the beginning, this is an interesting and thoughtful coming-of-age story. What starts as a Stargirl-like character coming between the friendship of two boys becomes a moving tale about the challenges of family life and being different. The book is highly descriptive and a great deal of it is made up of Frankie's memories, which establish his character and give readers insight into his life. They will not only feel his anxiety, but also understand where it comes from. Each chapter ends with nightly discussions between him and his mother, which are both telling and rather beautiful. Ultimately, he is able to come to terms with and appreciate his family and learn that life can be good, even if it's not perfect.—Kerry Roeder, The Brearley School, New York City

School Library Journal

Frankie Parsons is not your average Kiwi kid. He's 12, but he frets—every disease is lurking, the cat could have worms, and the smoke alarm may be out of batteries. And his mother hasn't gone outside for years. Frankie's life begins to spin out of control when he meets Sydney, the new girl at school. Australian narrator Stig Wemyss gives a superb performance. His tone and enthusiasm maximize the humor and are pitch-perfect for voicing kids. Frankie and his cricket-mad best friend, Gigs, have their own invented language, which Wemyss makes believable and funny. Everyone inhabiting Frankie's world is a joy to hang out with, thanks to Wemyss, especially Frankie’s crazy fat aunties who come to dinner twice a month. A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2009 - AudioFile