The Boy Who Lost His Face [Paperback]

Louis Sachar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 1991

DAVID IS ONLY trying to be cool when he helps some of the popular kids steal Old Lady Bayfield’s cane. But when the plan backfires, he’s the one the “old witch” curses. Now David can’t seem to do anything right. Is it the Bayfield curse at work? Or is David simply turning into a total loser?

“Wildly funny.”—Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Could David's efforts to court popularity be doomed by the curse of an elderly neighbor? "Readers will empathize" said PW , with the hero of "this delightful, funny book." Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-- The jacket art of a young man's horrified surprise as his pants fall down while he's talking to a girl in the school corridor captures much about the book, particularly its wit and humor (he's lost his pants, not his face) and its exploration of exaggerated situations that reveal the very real and excruciating angst of middle schoolers. David Ballinger fears being uncool, not fitting in, and wants so much to be popular that he helps some classmates attack an elderly woman and steal her cane. When odd things begin to happen to him, he believes the woman to be a witch who has cursed him, and his genuine remorse causes him to punish himself. By not being assertive, by not standing up for what he believes, he loses face. He grows in the course of the novel, and is able to get his "face" back, albeit somewhat bruised. Ample dialogue (including name calling, street language, and obscenities) and brief chapters will make this a book for which young patrons will reach. Unfortunately, the story is weakened by the tagged-on final chapter, set 150 years in the future, in which David Ballinger is revered, and his birthday has been made a school holiday. --Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (February 13, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067980160X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679801603
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,045,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

author spotlight
Newbery Award-winning author Louis Sachar is the creator of the entertaining Marvin Redpost books as well as the much-loved There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, winner of 17 child-voted state awards.

Louis Sachar's book Holes, winner of the 1999 Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, is also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, an ALA Notable Book, and was made into a major motion picture.

A Few Words From Louis Sachar
Of all the characters from Holes, why did you choose to revisit Armpit in SMALL STEPS?
LS: I tend to write about underdogs. It seemed to me that life would be tough for an African-American teenager from a low-income family with a criminal record. Especially someone stuck with the name, "Armpit."
Although this new book is about a character from Holes, the two books are very different. How would you explain to a fan of Holes what to expect from SMALL STEPS?
LS: I can't. I'm no good at describing my books. Holes has been out now for seven years, and I still can't come up with a good answer when asked what that book is about.
Could you imagine future novels about any of the other boys?
Do you think about what Stanley is up to now?
LS: I don't think too much about Stanley or Zero. I left them in a good place. Although money doesn't bring happiness, or give meaning to someone's life, the problems Stanley and Zero face now (and I'm sure they do face many problems) are less interesting than those faced by someone like Armpit.
Plenty of teenagers fantasize about what it would be like to be a young rock star.
You portray it as lonely. Tell us about that decision.
LS: The media tends to portray the teenage world as one where drinking and sex is taken for granted. In fact, I think most teenagers don't drink, are unsure of themselves, and feel awkward around members of the opposite sex. I thought it was important to show Kaira, a rock star no less, as such a person. Her situation, in many ways, is made more difficult as she has no social contact with anyone her age. She is trapped in a world of agents, record producers, and hanger-ons.
I'm imagining that off all the books you've written, Holes is the one that has changed your life the most. Not only did it win the Newbery Medal, it's also simply a popular sensation. Is this assessment accurate? What is this novel's continuing impact on your life? Would you consider it the book that you are proudest of?
LS: Not counting Small Steps, I think Holes is my best book, in terms of plot, and setting, and the way the story revealed itself. It hasn't changed my life, other than that I have more money than I did before I wrote it. I'm still too close to Small Steps to compare it to Holes.
Why do you typically write only two hours each day?
LS: Small steps. Every time I start a new novel it seems like an impossible undertaking. If I tried to do too much too quickly, I would get lost and feel overwhelmed. I have to go slow, and give things a chance to take form and grow.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not annoyed by the language, July 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Boy Who Lost His Face (Paperback)

I have enjoyed all the Sachar books. This one ventures into controvesial language and behavior and nervous parents and teachers will worry that children will use this language inappropriately. I read this book to my seven year old and not only did he love it, but he found the discussion of such controversial subjects very thought provoking. There is a lengthy discussion between friends and parents about giving somebody the finger. What it means, how context influences meaning, who is aware or unaware of its meaning. I don't know where else kids are going to find such thoughtful and provocative discussions. Certainly not from parents and teachers. Thank goodness for Louis and his brave publisher. This book connects to kids in a dramatic and moving way, and best of all shows that reading can be a real key into understanding and thinking. Kudos to Sachar!!!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book with wide appeal, February 27, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Boy Who Lost His Face (Paperback)

I picked up a copy of "The Boy Who Lost His Face" because I quite enjoyed Sachar's other books (specifically, "Holes" was brilliant). This ended up being one of his finest works, insightful and funny. The book does use 'naughty' language at parts, but it is used to aid the story (for example, the main character and his father ponder over why certain acts are considered vulgar, and others aren't)... and it's nothing you won't see on prime-time television.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some bad language, but REALLY funny!, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Boy Who Lost His Face (Paperback)

I've always loved Louis Sachar's books, and this one wasn't different. Even though it has some bad language, some kids do talk like that. David has a lifelike problem, and the old lady and the curse add fun to it. I love all the funny things that happen to him, like his pants falling down, or dropping the test tube in science. All the characters are unique and interesting. I would suggest this book to anyone except younger kids. I really liked it!