Module 12 - Biography & Autobiography

Paulsen, G. (2004). How Angel Peterson  got his name. 
New York, NY:  Random House Children's Books.


Summary:
Gary Paulsen writes an autobiography of his life as a 13 year old.  He shares the many daredevil stunts he and his friends perform.  Some of the stunts include going over a waterfall in a wooden barrel, attempting to set a new world record for speed on skis, and to wrestling a bear.

My Impression:
This book was unlike any autobiography I have ever read.  It was very entertaining and scary to think that a 13 yr. old boy would attempt some of these stunts.  It should be a grat read for boys this age.

Reviews:
How Angel Peterson Got His Name
Booklist
Suggested Library Use:
A librarian could use this book as part of an author study on Gary Paulsen.  Its use would be a great addition to the writing of an autobiography doesn't have to be dry and uninteresting.

Gr. 6–9. Every boy who is 13 or about to be 13 or who remembers being 13 should read this short story collection based on people and events from Paulsen’s own life.  Even though the action takes place 50 or so years ago, they will recognize themselves.  And every girl who has ever liked a 13-year-old-boy, or been related to one, or wondered about one, should read this, too, because although the book doesn’t explain why boys like to do things like pee on electric fences, it does give an insight into how their funny little minds work.  Writing with humor and sensitivity, Paulsen shows boys moving into adolescence believing they can do anything: wrestle with bears; shoot waterfalls in a

barrel; fly eight-by-twelve-foot Army surplus kites—and hang on, even as they land in the chicken coop. None of them dies (amazingly), and even if Paulsen exaggerates the teensiest bit, his tales are sidesplittingly funny and more than a little frightening.

DeCandido, G. A. (2002). How Angel Peterson Got His Name. Booklist, 99(8), 754.