Uncle Daddy [Hardcover]

Ralph Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Does Rivers have room in his life for two very different fathers?

"The truth is Uncle Daddy isn't either my father or my uncle. He's actually Mom's uncle. I was three years old when he came to live with us."

Since Rivers's real father left him and his mom six years ago, Uncle Daddy has been taking care of Rivers in all the ways a dad cares for a son -- even teaching him how to play baseball. Then his real father returns. Rivers is confused and angry. He had always thought that he'd express his anger at his father by socking him in the stomach. Now, face to face with him, Rivers' feelings are more complicated than he'd imagined. Will the reappearance of his dad affect his relationship with Uncle Daddy? This heart-felt story, told from the point of view of a nine-and-a-half-year-old boy, is filled with insight and touches of humor.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-A reassuring picture of forgiveness and acceptance within a family. Rivers has been raised by his mother and great-uncle, "Uncle Daddy," ever since his father went out to get a pizza and never came back. The boy's life is fairly typical of that of other nine-year-olds-until his father returns after a six-year absence. Then, anger, resentment, confusion, insecurity, and torn loyalties threaten to overwhelm the family. When Uncle Daddy suffers a near-fatal heart attack, Rivers and his parents come together in support and concern and the older man's physical healing parallels the relatives' emotional healing. The one-big-happy-family conclusion may come about a bit too quickly to be completely convincing, but youngsters will welcome it. While Uncle Daddy seems too good to be true, Rivers's parents are more multidimensional characters and the child's interactions with friends and his conflicted emotions concerning his father are portrayed realistically. This is not a first purchase, but it will appeal to readers who want an alternative to the grim realism of much contemporary fiction.-Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. Nine-year-old Rivers' family configuration lacks a biological father, but "Uncle Daddy," his mother's uncle, is a loving, fun, and very active father substitute. When Rivers' dad, who went out for a pizza six years ago and never came back, shows up unexpectedly, Rivers, his mother, and Uncle Daddy are shocked, angry, confused and unsure as to how to open the family circle wider, or indeed, if they should accept the renegade dad. Uncle Daddy suffers a near-fatal heart attack, and Rivers' parents come together in support of their boy and his great uncle and begin a more healthy relationship together. The happy ending is rather quickly resolved, but the issues of resentment and forgiveness are beautifully handled. Rivers' parents are wonderfully drawn, warts and all. This refreshingly gentle and reassuring portrait of family dynamics will appeal to those who eschew grim contemporary realism. Debbie Carton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805066632
• ISBN-13: 978-0805066630
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,839,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ralph Fletcher is a friend of young writers and readers as well as writing teachers. He has written or co-authored many books for writing teachers includng Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide, Teaching the Qualities of Writing, Lessons for the Writer's Notebook, Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, and Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing. Ralph has worked with teachers around the U.S. and abroad, helping them find wiser ways of teaching writing.

Ralph's many books for students include picture books (Twilight Comes Twice, Hello Harvest Moon, and The Sandman), novels (Fig Pudding, Flying Solo, and Spider Boy), poetry (A Writing Kind of Day and Moving Day), and a memoir, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid. His novel Uncle Daddy was awarded the Christopher medal in 2002. He has also written a popular series of books for young writers including Poetry Matters, Live Writing, and A Writer's Notebook. Ralph lives with his family in New Hampshire. He is a strong environmentalist who believes we all must work together to live in a more sustainable way. His other passions include travel, good food, dark chocolate, growing orchids, and sports.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uncle Daddy, October 1, 2004

By 

Desirae "Desirae" (Polk City, Iowa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uncle Daddy (Hardcover)

When I think about reading Uncle Daddy, love comes to mind. This book is very loving in so many ways. There is love from friends, family, ones who were known for short amount of time and love from others that were never really known. This book is a very easy to read book with a good story line to it. If you have troubles comprehending what you read or want something easy that¡¯s entertaining, this would be a good book for that. I enjoyed this book because I don¡¯t like stories that are hard to understand. I like simple books that are good. I really recommend it!