Author: Sue Stauffacher
ISBN: 0-375-82468-5
144 pages
Knopf, 2003 edition
Just an interestingly titled novel with a quirky illustration that I saw at my local public library, I thought I would see what it was all about.
Description:
When his family came to America from Russia, Franklin's ancestors came through famed Ellis Island to reach their dreams in the New World. Unfortunately, the Donotscked family name was changed to Donuthead while passing through Ellis Island and thus Franklin's last name is Donuthead; not the best name for a fifth-grader. Franklin Delano Donuthead thus finds himself the butt of lots of jokes. Franklin is an eccentric kid, frightened of germs, girls and anything else that threatens the organization through which he leads his life. Franklin's life is turned upside down by the arrival of Sarah on the scene; a girl whom Franklin is sure must be a host for all manner of bacteria and disease. And yet, even with Donuthead's compulsion to avoid Sarah at all costs, the two make an unbelievably tight friendship.
Review:
Stauffacher's writing makes Franklin jump off the page. He is a very bright kid and one of the only kids on the planet who must fight against his parents to keep his diet completely organic and wholesome. 'Donuthead' is full of quirky wit and knee-slapping lines; it is the only 'tween' book so far that I have laughed openly during reading. The scene describing on of Franklin's initial encounter's with Sarah is hilarious (with much of it fodder for the book jacket and excerpts, understandably). While the plot is not particularly interesting, the characters are engaging and the book is funny. Truly funny. A great pleasure for adults and 'tweens' alike.
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