Dead End in Norvelt

Updated Review, May 2020:I was shocked when I saw my original rating for this book was 3 stars. In my memory, it was a 5-star read. I was tempted to up the rating to 5 stars on reread, but settled on 4 as a compromise. I really enjoyed this book the second time and immediately checked out the sequel on Hoopla.Also, for anyone reading in the spring/summer of 2020, there is a small part at the very end when one of the characters describes what the USA was like during the 1918 flu, and it is eerie. It feels delightfully serendipitous that I would have chosen this year to revisit this one. Original Review, April 2012:I kind of expected more out of this book, the Newbery Medal winner for 2012. Although it was similar in theme to another Newbery contender, [b:Okay for Now 9165406 Okay for Now Gary D. Schmidt http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327889281s/9165406.jpg 14044509] it was not nearly as good. The setting was not utilized to the fullest, mainly because young hero Jack is grounded and doesn't wander around all that much. Furthermore, I do not think this will go over so well with its intended audience. It's historical fiction, but the history is not that interesting.