Chill (Orca Soundings) [Paperback]

Colin Frizzell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Orca Soundings | Publication Date: September 1, 2006

How far will Chill and Sean go to expose a teacher's deception? (RL3.5) (20070301)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Chill is a talented artist. He also has a disability, a crippled leg. It has been a significant issue in his life, but it has made him a better artist by channeling his frustration. When a campaign ensues to have a mural painted at the front of the school, he is awarded the job. In the meantime, he has an immediate adverse reaction to his new English teacher. Chill's friend Sean, who narrates the story, wants to be a novelist and finds Mr. Sfinkter's attitude below par, yet wants to like him. Sfinkter promises to have one of his "publishers" look at the boy's work, which endears him to Sean but causes a rift between the teens. As the year progresses, the man repeatedly insults students, claiming that he is getting them ready for the real world. Chill's distaste for the man increases. When the mural is finally unveiled, he has painted a mad clown (Sfinkter) squishing the dreams of the kids in the school. The novel offers an interesting portrayal of how a teacher can affect a student's life. It is also a commentary on responsibility and the right and wrong way to approach issues that may come your way. Though it is written for teens in terms of plot and character, the content itself is based on a 3.5 reading level, making it perfect for struggling and reluctant readers.—Emily Garrett, Armstrong Elementary School, Sachse, TX
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Review

*no details* (Washington State Young Adult Review Group 20070301)

"Frizzell reaches deep into the psyche of high school students...[and] respectfully emulates the voice of a teen." (CM Magazine 20070301)

"A good read for all teens, especially for the less popular and the artistically inclined...one of the better Orca Soundings." (KLIATT 20071118)

"Perfect for struggling and reluctant readers." (School Library Journal 20080615)

"Frizzell mixes the right ingredients to please middle school boys." (TeensReadToo.com )

"This is a perfect title for struggling readers and will appeal to a variety of teen readers." (NMRLS Youth Services Book Review )

"The author has succeeded in capturing what teens think and feel. Highly recommended." (Canadian Book Review Annual )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 98 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551435071
• ISBN-13: 978-1551435077
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,101,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, March 2, 2007

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chill (Orca Soundings) (Paperback)

It's the sophomore year of high school, and best friends Chill and Sean will soon meet their new English teacher, Mr. Sfinkter, a man who loves to brag about his accomplishments as a published writer and who also seems to enjoy humiliating his students.

Sean, who wants to be a writer, doesn't think that the teacher is really that bad, especially after Mr. Sfinkter encouraged him to write a book, and promised him that he would help him get it published. But Chill, who gets picked on by Mr. Sfinkter all the time, knows that he's not a good teacher and is probably even far from being a good person. Chill tries to ignore him and dedicates most of his time to working on a mural he's painting for the school. But one day, Mr. Sfinkter crosses the line and makes fun of Chill's bum leg.

Bad move. Everyone in school knows that nobody messes with Chill.

With big type and 98 pages, this entertaining novel is perfect for those who don't like lengthy novels. Frizzell mixes the right ingredients to please middle school boys: a mean and abusive teacher, unfairly treated students, clueless school staff, and the cool kids out to teaching a grown up a lesson.

Reviewed by: Christian C.