Saint Iggy

Author: K.L. Going

ISBN:978-0152062484

Publication Information: Graphia

Plot Summary:Iggy Corso is a teen with a rough life. He is addicted to crack, because he mother did drugs while he was in utero. She is still an addict, and often disappears to leave Iggy to fend for himself. His dad is so dunk or stoned that he doesn't even acknowledge Iggy's existence. And Iggy himself is battling with learning and attention disorders, which has caused him to repeat two grades and have numerous suspensions, the latest which may lead to expulsion. In order to remain in school, Iggy turns to his friend Mo for help, and ex-law student who has renounced worldly possessions and currently sits around and smokes pot. Bad things turn worse when Mo makes a bad decision during a drug deal, and Iggy must ultimately decide on whether to help his friend Mo, or himself.

Critical Evaluation:K.L. Going creates another knock out character in Iggy Corso, and is quickly becoming my favorite YA author. Iggy is misunderstood, but very sweet, and my heart repeatedly broke for Iggy as one person after another either misunderstood or took advantage of him. It was difficult to watch Iggy struggle to make people understand his intentions, or to have him not take advantage of opportunities that were offered to him, but I think both of these things can be struggles that many teens face at some level. While Mo's mother's unconditional and immediate acceptance was a bit of a stretch, it was easy to assume that Mo's mother thought she could reach out and save Iggy in a way that she failed with Mo. This is a great book to put on several booklists, including books for reluctant readers.

Reader's Annotation:Iggy hasn't been dealt an easy hand in life. But to make his life better, he must make sure that he isn't suspended from school. If only that was easy.

Author Information: K.L. Going was born and raised in New York (the state, not the city), and currently lives in Glen Spey, NY with her husband and step-daughter. She is the author of seven YA titles. Going is the recipient of a Printz Honor for her debut novel, Fat Kid Rules the World. She is currently employed full time as an author, and has an unhealthy obsession with ketchup. (Information taken from author's website http://klgoing.com/bio.htm)

Curricular Ties:Health

Genre: Issues

Book talking ideas:

• Why does Mo take advantage of Iggy? Does he even know that he is taking advantage of him?
• Why is it so important for Iggy to find his mother?
• Why is easy so fixated on the blond girl?
  

Challenge issues: Drugs, violence

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age: Grades 9 and up

Why I selected this piece: I loved Troy in Fat Kid Rules the World, so I wanted to see what Going's other characters and books were like.