Jack is looking forward to his summer break – weeks of hanging out with his best friend Bunny, playing baseball and school-free days.

If only he hadn’t taken out his dad’s Japanese rifle. Dad is away for work quite a lot, so Jack grabs the opportunity to look at the memorabilia Dad brought home from the war.

If only he hadn’t squeezed the trigger.

A shot fires off, shocking Jack and frightening his mother. Neither knew it was loaded. But who put the bullet in? Dad doesn’t help Jack’s troubles when he returns with something he hides in the garage. He doesn’t want mum to know about it – just yet.

Between Dad’s plan, the bullet fired from the gun, and his feuding parents, Jack’s summer freedom is toast. He’s grounded until he goes back to school.

Luckily, mum has already arranged for Jack to help old Miss Volkner, an elderly resident of Norvelt, so at least he gets to leave his room. Miss Volkner was a nurse who has become the town medical examiner and obituary writer, but her arthritic hands now prevent her from even holding a pen. Jack becomes her scribe, then at only 12, her driver, protector and student of local history.

Fascinated in world history from a young age, Jack never knew how interesting his town really is.

This story of community, family feuds, and unlikely friendships across generations, soon turns into an entertaining murder mystery. Who is killing the eldest residents in Norvelt, and why?

Jack’s summer of dread turns into one of the most thrilling yet.

Dead End in Norvelt is a combination of summer holidays, American history, a love story (sort of), a murder mystery, and an autobiography.

I enjoyed getting to know the inhabitants of this town, especially Jack and his elderly boss and new friend Miss Volkner.

Hells Angels feature along with meals on wheels delivered on an adult tricycle, and the digging of a fake bomb shelter. A snippet of life in 1962 USA. 

Winner of the Newbery Medal (USA) 2012

Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2013

Author – Jack Gantos

Age – 10+

(USA, America, Newbery Medal, Award, Summer Holidays, History, Historical, 1962, Blood noses, Friendship, Tricycle, Mystery, Murder, Funeral Parlour, Meals on Wheels, Bomb Shelter, Gangs, Hells Angels, Autobiography, Bunker, Air strip, Plane, Japanese War memorabilia, Humour, Secret)