Customer Reviews

Milton's Dilemma

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Milton's Dilemma by the husband and wife writing team of John De Angelis and Patricia Gatto deals directly with the consequences of bullying in a sensitive, practical, entertaining manner as young readers ages 6 to 10 follow the journey of Milton from loneliness and anxiety to friendship and self-acceptance. Kenneth Vincent's rather impressive artwork is a perfect enhancement of a reader engaging story. Milton's Dilemma is a respected and commended addition to school and community library collections for children, nd especially recommended reading for any child having to deal with the issues of bullies and bullying.

Milton's Dilemma is a book that focuses on the bullying of young Milton Hastings, a boy of ten, being raised by his mother, after the death of his father in the war.

Moving is nothing out of the ordinary for Milton, military families move often. But when they finally settle down in the town of Smithville, life changes drastically. Milton's mother gets a job and he is the new-kid-on-the-block.

The other boys in his school are mostly from wealthy families, but Milton is different. A little over-weight and slightly clumsy makes him an easy target to torment. And torment they do. When Milton is offered the chance to get even by a magical rhyming gnome named Duffy McDoogle, things are about to get interesting. With the ball in his court, this is his big chance to get even with the boys who make everyday miserable for him.

A humorous, yet touching tale of a little boy forced to stand alone and make the right decisions. Well adapted to many family situations today of a one-parent household, this delicate but very real subject of how a child learns to deal with adversity is handled in a manner that is presented in a fun way and still succeeds in getting it's point across.
Milton's Dilemma should be a part of every elementary school's curriculum.

Katherine J. Turcotte, Reviewer

A ten-year-old boy named Milton Hastings, Jr. moves to Smithville, a common occurrence for his military family. This move is without his father, who died a war-hero, and Milton struggles with the changes around him. Without friends, clumsy Milton becomes an easy target for the rich kid bullies at the school he attends.

The magic of a mischievous gnome named Duffy McDoogle guides Milton through a magical journey of right and wrong. A journey that allows Milton to choose his own path, to learn the consequences of revenge, how to make the right decisions, and what friendship really means.

MILTON'S DILEMMA is an enchanting story, wonderfully written by Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis. The beautiful illustrations of Kenneth Vincent are filled with rich color and detail. A lovely book for parents and teachers to share with their children, taking them on a journey of their own while teaching them how to listen to their heart. This is one any child is sure to enjoy!

Milton's Dilemma
Patricia Gatto & John De Angelis
Illustrator: Kenneth Vincent
Providence Publishing Company July 2004
834 Tanglewood Drive, Tanglewood Lakes, Greentown, PA 18426
Hardcover 32 pgs.
$15.95
ISBN# 0-9651661-9-8
Review by: Christina Francine
http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com

Think bullying is just a right of passage and harmless? Think again. We've all experienced either being bullied, being the bully, or standing idly by while someone else was. The child bully has been around since the beginning of time. If the picking and bullying isn't stopped, victims may take matters into their own hands, and that could mean with a gun or a knife.

Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis describe a bullying as aggressive behavior repeatedly targeted at a child of lesser physical or emotional strength.

"There are three types," says Gatto, "physical, verbal, and social. Remember, a bully needs an audience, tends to be over confident, have a low frustration level, needs to be the center of attention, lacks empathy, and portrays a fearless nature and physical strength, qualities often admired by their peers."

Their book, Milton's Dilemma, was born when Gatto and De Angelis felt compelled to help victims. They present the reader with an age-old problem. The audience aim is mainly grades K-5, parents, educators, and anyone dealing with children.

Ten-year-old Milton Hastings, Jr. recently moved. His mom said things would be different, but this move proved to be the worst. Milton had lost his dad, and his mother seemed to have changed.

Before long, a bunch of boys at school began to tease Milton. They thought it an entertaining game. Milton eventually attempts to tell his mother because he can't take it any longer, however his mother is busy with her new job at a bookstore. She's the sole provider and must not loose her new position.

Milton retreats to a far corner of the bookstore and falls asleep. When he wakes, a large worn book sits floating in the air before him. As if that weren't magical enough, a gnome springs from the pages and tells Milton he'll help him with his bully problem. Milton enjoys his revenge on the three boys until one of them is in real trouble. Meanness isn't in Milton's makeup and he flees to the bully's aide. Can he help or is it too late? Will he be sorry? Maybe the gnome decides it is too late. The deed is to be finished.

Along with their book, Gatto and De Angelis visit schools, and provide tips for intervention by adults. They believe every child has the right to a safe and healthy learning environment. They also visit community events, wrote a screenplay called, `Relocating Tony' and an article called `Brace Yourself for the Bully.' They are members of the society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, are founding sponsors of the `Two River Film Festival,' are members of Penuinters, Inc., are active in a number of community and charity events for children, and are currently pilot testing a program called Author Pal involving authors and children.

Endorsements include:

--Judge Marjorie O Rendell, First Lady of Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania

--Robert S. Conquest, MSW, a Certified Therapeutic School
Social worker who provides the `FORWARD' of Milton's
Dilemma.

--The book is listed as resource material on the US
Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) website,
`Stop Bullying Now!'

For more information visit:
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
and
the Gatto and De Angelis' website:
http://www.joyfulproductions.com

A Few Facts To Consider:

*22% of kids in grades 4-8 say they have trouble with their studies because they are teased and bullied by other kids.
--TIME For Kids, Oct. 27, 2000

*Each day about 160,000 kids miss school because they're afraid of being picked on.
--TIME For Kids, Oct. 27, 2000

*School psychologist and psychotherapist Israel Kolman says adults have some mistaken attitudes toward children's aggression and that, unless real injury is involved, adults should allow children to get along by themselves and "should refuse to get involved in children's disputes and send them to work it out with each other instead."
--American Teacher, Feb. 2001

*More than a quarter of teen students who responded to a survey in Fall 1999 by USA Weekend (the largest survey of its kind) report that they don't feel safe from violence on school grounds.

Some Survey Results:

*4 in 10 students live in homes that have guns; more
than half say they could access those weapons.

* 7 in 10 would feel happier if schools were safer;
more than half say they would learn more.

* 1 in 10 say students carry weapons at school.
--USA Weekend, April 2000

Gatto and De Angelis' book and programs are insightful, entertaining, and important. Our children are precious and deserve the freedom to be themselves, to get an education without fear and to be safe. An anti-bullying program needs to be implemented wherever children and teens gather such as in schools; one of the largest places of offences.

Milton's Dilemma is recommended for those with children and/or who work with them. Children need adults who care about them no matter who they are, where they're from, or what they look or think like.

One of the most important topics for a book, or program, I've ever reviewed.

Ten-year-old Milton Hastings, Jr. knew that moving to Smithville wouldn't be better like his Mother said. After all, Milton was used to moving, seeing as how his Father, Sargeant Hastings, a war hero who died the previous year, was always being transferred thanks to the military, taking his family with him. This time Milton and his Mother were living above Mr. Dugan's antique bookstore, where Milton's Mother worked, and Milton was attending a private school with rich kids. Sure it seemed nice enough, but in reality, it wasn't. Milton didn't really mind the not having any friends part. After all, sure it would have been nice to have someone to talk to, but it wasn't essential. What really bothered Milton was the fact that he was picked on non-stop at school. So when Milton meets up with Duffy McDoogle, a magical gnome, and is able to get back at his tormentor's, he scoops up the opportunity. But maybe getting revenge wasn't the right thing to do after all.

MILTON'S DILEMMA is a fantastic book that will teach school-age children from kindergarten to sixth grade that bullying and revenge is unnecessary, and unkind. Milton is a character whom many children will identify with, as are his tormentors, Ralphie, Jimmy, and Tommy. Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis, have put into words what most children experience everyday. While this will help children, this is also a fantastic book for parents to read as well, so as to see what their children may be going through, as well as to open up a floor for discussion about bullying, and the repercussions it carries along with it. Join Milton through his quest for friendship, self-acceptance, and consequences, as you will not be disappointed.

Erika Sorocco

We hear all too frequently about the devastating escalation of "bullying" in today's society - young lives destroyed forever, families ripped apart, and a pattern of violence that seems to be ever increasing. Concerned parents and teachers need to be informed about recognizing and dealing with bullying, and a new book from authors Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis provides a great resource.

Milton's Dilemma (Providence Publishing, June 2004, hardcover, 32 pages) tells the story of ten year old Milton and his struggles to fit in at a new school. Written in an engaging fashion and featuring eye catching illustrations, the book shows Milton's varying reactions to the harassment he faces and his struggle to make the correct decision about his tormentors. This book doesn't duck tough issues, providing an excellent springboard for conversations in your home or classroom with elementary school age children. Additionally, through their web site and their school presentations, the authors are busy working to advocate for children's literacy and safety issues.