Trout and Me [Paperback]

Susan Shreve (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2004 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

When a new troublemaker, Trout, arrives at school, Ben is soon diagnosed with ADD–just like Trout.

Ever since first grade, Ben’s been in trouble, even though he’s really not a bad kid. He just can’t seem to stop doing things that get him sent to the principal’s office. His parents and wise older sister, Meg, swear he’ll be fine in his own time, but when a new kid shows up in Ben’s fifth-grade class, he’s not so sure. Trout sticks to him like glue, and it’s clear from the start that Trout is a much bigger troublemaker than Ben ever was. So when Ben gets diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), just like Trout, and then has to take Ritalin, just like Trout, he’s not sure what to make of his friendship–especially when he starts to get a bad reputation. Is Trout’s badness rubbing off on him? Can Ben make people understand it’s the ADD, not Trout, causing the problems before it’s too late?


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this moving novel, Shreve (Blister) again demonstrates her insight into kids outside the mainstream of school life. Eleven-year-old Ben has hated school since first grade, when he responded to a classmate s taunts about his lisp by flushing her teddy bear down the toilet. The well-meaning but dense principal uses the occasion to test Ben for learning disabilities (he turns out to have dyslexia and, later, ADD), but in the process makes Ben feel like a problem child. As Ben, the narrator, candidly puts it, Since the teddy bear, everyone expected trouble from me. So that s what they got. Now in fifth grade, Ben explains that despite his efforts, "My bad reputation has followed me like a tail getting longer every year." Then a new boy named Trout arrives at school, wearing what he claims is a tattooed question mark on his chin (If I didn t have a question mark on my chin, I d be invisible, he tells Ben). Trout, who also has learning disabilities, attaches himself to Ben s side like Velcro and the two boys live up to the school's expectations by getting into trouble, big-time. The author s evenhandedness gives the story its punch: the adults think they are doing all the right things, but fail to see how their attitudes compound the boys problems. Fusing humor and pathos, Shreve introduces characters of uncommon dimension and complexity and leaves readers with subtle issues to ponder. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-A sixth grader looks back to first grade, when he became known as "Ben Carter in Trouble." He tried with disastrous results to flush a classmate's purple teddy bear down the toilet after being teased about his lisp. His teacher was sure that his anger and frustration were directly related to his problems learning to read. Thus began Ben's difficult school career. His first-person narrative zeroes in on fifth grade, when a boy named Trout becomes his first-ever best friend and coconspirator, turning Stockton Elementary on its ear. Self-deprecating humor and excruciating honesty sustain the authenticity of the voice used. Both boys are diagnosed with ADD, but come from very different homes. Ben lives with both parents while Trout has only his dad, who travels a lot. Ben's family remains supportive throughout while Trout's is largely unseen. His dad's response to his often-troubling behavior is to move and change schools. This is a poignant, realistic portrait of the effects of labeling, "bad influences," and what it's like to be different. Characters are plausible as are the situations in which they are placed. While readers are left wondering about Trout's future as he and his dad make yet another move, they will be hopeful that Ben has found the inner strength he needs to succeed. A fast-paced, touching story told in the convincing and perceptive voice of the young protagonist.
Maria B. Salvadore, District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (July 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440419026
• ISBN-13: 978-0440419020
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,080 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars right on target, November 20, 2003

By 

Stacy A. Chapman (arlington, tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trout and Me (Hardcover)

Shreve did a great job in demonstrating the way a child with ADD makes poor choices. As the mother of three grown ADD children, I can only wish this book had been written sooner. The storyline is very accurate, and I believe it might serve as an awakening, of sorts, to kids who have been diagnosed with ADD. They will certainly be able to see themselves in the characters of Ben and Trout. And it should be encouraging to parents to at least give medication a try.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Trout & Me, January 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Trout and Me (Hardcover)

I have a grandson with ADD, so I'm pretty familiar with the subject. I thought susan shreve did an excellent job in portraying the nuances of the character in an ADD child.Most of the story was very authentic and honest, especially the poignant portrayal of the effects of "being different' and being labeled as such. The author's best scenes are the ones that take place inside the head of the protagonist. We really feel Ben's pain and isolation.
My big concern with the book is that the parents lie to the principal about Ben's taking ritalin. When the principal urges them to put him on it because of the difficulties he's having, the parents, who are intelligent educated people (the mother is a pharmacist) inform the principal that Ben is using the drug, while in fact, they won't allow him to take it.
I know Ritalin isn't for everyone, but why set an example of parents who tell their son to lie about taking the medication to a person of authority who seems to want to help him?
This aspect of an otherwise very good book make me uncomfortable. Therefore, I have concerns about recommending this book to others.