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The Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
March 31 - April 6, 2005 Edition
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IN PRINT One Book, One Island: An honest look at youth issues March 31, 2005 By Ann Hollister “Tangerine,” by Edward Bloor. New York, N.Y., Scholastic, Inc., 1997. $5.99. "Tangerine," by Edward Bloor. New York, N.Y., Scholastic, Inc., 1997. $5.99. As an educator for more than 30 years, I admit to not being a regular reader of Young Adult novels. When asked to review the One Book, One Island youth selection, “Tangerine,” by Edward Bloor, I approached it warily as it was described as a sports novel with family overtones. But I read it and found it to be compelling. It touched on so many themes that it is difficult to mention them all while keeping the focus on the main character, Paul Fisher, whose life we get caught up in through his journal entries. The story would appeal to young adults of both sexes in grades seven through 10, and the fact that Paul's school soccer team is coed. Paul is a seventh grader who, with his family, has just moved to Tangerine County, Florida. At first glimpse, we realize that Paul wears thick Coke-bottle lens glasses. The reader learns quickly that he may have impaired eyesight, but he has 20/20 intuitive vision. We look in at the family's home life in Tangerine County. Paul's family, viewed through written snapshots in his diary, emerges as less than sympathetic. The problems and issues portrayed are many and complicated. They include the problems in their gated housing development, which was built with greed, haste, without proper permits and inspections, and without regard to weather conditions that occur and cause personal tragedy in the wider community. Insect infestation, muck fires, raging lightening storms, Florida citrus freezes, and sinkholes that gobble up the school's portable classrooms add to the mix. Where do sports come in? Paul is a soccer player whose vision could, but doesn't, interfere with his excellent skills. His brother, Erik, is the “sports star” of the family, a high school senior and the football team's place kicker. Within the context of these sports, school issues, bullying, (in this instance far beyond teasing, and in the serious disorder category), diverse cultures, real friendship, teen-age angst, and family dynamics play out. Family secrets, best not kept, cause dysfunction and pain. And the hero is Paul. He overcomes and survives, and in the process becomes a strong, clear-thinking young person. His adventures, as seen through his writing, show someone who is intuitive about people, including himself, one who endlessly solves problems in his own and his community's interests. If he sometimes seems beyond his years, we can accept that, as his ethics are in the right place. Paul's awareness alerts young readers to many issues that affect us all today. Busy family lives, the eternal hope for positive change in our lives and the lives of those we care for, environmental concerns caused by improper monitoring, teens trying to sort out who they are and want to become, parenting styles, the need to incorporate, and honor, diversity in our communities and schools, and the positive place sports can have when properly managed, all add up to a very good read. The author, Edward Bloor, lives in Florida and has taught in middle and high school. This is his first novel, and he is at work on another. One Book, One Island events are scheduled for the week of April 7. Island booksellers are offering a 30 percent discount on both “Tangerine” and the adult selection, “The Big House,” by George Howe Colt. Ann Hollister taught third grade at the Edgartown School for 25 years. She is now a supervisor for on-site student teachers here from various New England colleges and an instructor for the Martha's Vineyard Adult Learning Program's ESL program.

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