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The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place
- By E. L. Konigsburg
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Girl fights to save her uncles' artistic towers.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a paean to nonconformity and determined individuality. Not all parents may agree with the values being promoted here, and camp counselors may not appreciate the depiction of summer camp. But agree or disagree, there's a lot to discuss: what do we owe to ourselves and our groups, what is the place of obedience, how should one resist enforced conformity, what is the essence of neighborhood and of art, are there limits to individual property rights, and much more. Konigsburg doesn't hide her opinions, nor in either style or structure does she make things easy for the reader, so this is best for advanced discussion groups. Interested students may want to research the Watts Towers.
What's the story?
Margaret Rose Kane comes by her individualism naturally -- her uncles cling to old-fashioned, old-world values, and have spent forty-five years building towers in their backyard. At summer camp, the more they try to get Margaret to conform, the more she resists. When she is rescued by her uncles, she finds that they too are under siege by the forces of conformity -- and about to give up.
The new neighbors in their newly gentrified neighborhood have convinced the town to order the demolition of the towers. Margaret gathers what allies she can and goes to war with the town. But her greatest allies will come from the most unexpected source.
Is it any good?
Some things about E.L. Konigsburg never change. She has a profound respect for the intelligence of her characters, who are nearly always brilliant, quirky, and mature children, determined to hold on to their individuality in the face of a conformist society. She also respects the intelligence of her audience and, while she does sometimes preach, she never talks down to them or dumbs down her writing or ideas.
This respect for her audience has led her to experiment in her last few novels with increasingly complex structures, and that is certainly evident here. Margaret, the narrator as well as heroine, leaps around in time and space with gleeful abandon, and hunks of chapters are headed with bits of quotes from characters earlier in the story. There are parallels between different parts of the story, literary and historical references, and characters who pop in and out and in again. The result is a challenge for inexperienced readers, an ending that may disappoint some, and a unique and fascinating literary creation that flows like a page turner. After the disappointment of Silent to the Bone, it's great to see Konigsburg back in top form.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the notion of rules and obedience. What are some of the rules and laws addressed in the book, and how do they compare with those in our own society? Is it okay to bend or break a rule in order to express your individuality?
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AGE
THE MOST WONDERFUL BOOK EVER
this book made me feel wonderful it's about kids can be powerful too .some adults didn't like it because the dog got drunk and there was a little cussing but THAT STUFF IS IN REAL LIFE be a big person and pretend not to notice it it's the perfect book for kids to feel wonderful
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AGE
A book for social rebels everywhere!
I liked this book as I like almost everything E.L.Konigsburg has written. As usual, the main character, Margaret Rose, was very articulate and defensive of her identity. This lead to a variety of obstacles mostly set up by society, that she haad to overcome, to keep her self-image from being destroyed, in her words. If the narration was a little confusing in its jumping from setting to setting, Margaret's wit and Konigsburg's lack of condescension more than made up for it. This story was for the nonconformist in all of us, for the little voice that says that society can't just have it's way with us.
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AGE
i loved it
i think this book is the most greatest book ever made they made it so descriptive that it felt like i was there it was the most funniest and realistic book i have ever read and i read a lot of books i really like when Margret demands to see someone with a card to help her uncles with the work of art they did the parents might say no to this book cause it might say some bad words but kids can be mature and get past that part where it has them but i think this book would help people and try to help them like this book helped me to help others and not do something you don't want to do if it helps you, you should tell someone abot this book and you might help them
P.S I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK AND I THINK PARENTS SHOULD ALLOW YOU TO READ THIS BOOK AND IF THEY DON'T, SAY THEN READ IT WITH ME AND GET ANOTHER COPY BECAUSE YOUR KIDS REALLY NEED TO READ IT
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AGE
happypop!
It was happy pop. Good book good book. I laughed a lot. Muahahaha! I am happy now. Blah
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AGE
great book
I loved this book, one of my faves. It was empowering and humerus and many other things. :-)
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AGE
:(
Terribly boring I almost cried. Hard to follow in a way. Weird character.
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| Author: | E. L. Konigsburg |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Literary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | September 6, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 296 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
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