His most recent novel, If I Ever Get out of Here is his first Young Adult novel, and deals with the 1975 friendship between two “Can you believe it? Fighting back? My quickest instinct was to protect my glasses. Even if you were just a kid who enjoyed the rock of the day, this walk down memory lane will surely have you smiling. The pace is good, and being read by the author really helps meet the characters as he saw them. George Haddonfield grew up on air force bases around the world and doesn't seem to know or care about the divisions between the reservation kids and everyone else. Looking for an Original Story with Humor & Heart? A writer and visual artist, he has published a dozen books, including the novels, Mending Skins (Pen Oakland Award) and Extra Indians (American Book Award, NAISA Book of the Year), the young adult novels, If I Ever Get Out of Here (Honor Award, American Indian Youth Literary Award; One Book, One Philadelphia 2020) and Give Me Some Truth (Whippoorwill Award). The circumstance of his making a true friendship with another of true character leads the reader into scenes which celebrate a warmth of human kindness, and the things that last. She looks forward to the day when she can join up and fight the Republic’s treacherous enemies east of the Dakotas. I suspect anyone who likes a good story, incredible characters, and visiting new places will enjoy this book, regardless of age. "This little freak is actually fighting back! This Prezi will give you a detailed presentation about all of the key details and plot points in the book. Being so different from everyone else, he tries to fit in but because he is poor, a by Eric Gansworth. Something went wrong. I was wearing a welfare pair and we would in no way have the cash to get them fixed if they were broken. The circumstance of his making a true friendship with another of true character leads the reader into scenes which celebrate a warmth of human kindness, and the things that last. Am D6 Am D6 Am Am If I ever get out of here, D Thought of giving it all away Am To a registered charity. --This text refers to the, *Starred Review* Lewis Blake is bright and scrawny and the only kid from the Tuscarora Reservation tracked with the brainiacs at their county junior high in upstate New York. "If I Ever Get Out of Here rings true with a sophisticated look at what it's like to be an outsider and what it takes to be a true friend…More than just engaging, [it] is the sort of book that can spark all kinds of meaningful conversation." Gr 6-9–In 1970s upstate New York, Lewis Blake inhabits two separate universes: the reservation where he lives in poverty with his mother and uncle, and school, where the fact that he is American Indian (and his sardonic sense of humor) has made him an outcast and a victim of bullying. --Thom Barthelmess, "[A] funny, poignant young-adult debut." Arthur A. Levine Books; 7.2.2013 edition (July 30, 2013). Get started. I suspect anyone who likes a good story, incredible characters, and visiting new places will enjoy this book, regardless of age. Surprisingly deep book for a middle school assignment - even MOM liked it!! 2018 Extra Indians. Lewis "Shoe" Blake is used to the joys and difficulties of life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation in 1975: the joking, the Fireball games, the snow blowing through his roof. This was hard enough to drop Evan, but not hard enough to get him to reconsider his decision to target me."Truck!" To be honest -- it hit me right in the feels. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. He also has to deal with the vicious Evan Reininger, who makes Lewis the special target of his wrath. Grades 7-10. Please try again. There was a problem loading your book clubs. — 1st ed. ", Eric Gansworth is a Professor of English and Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. An enrolled Onondaga, he was born and raised at the Tuscarora Indian Nation, just outside Niagara Falls, New York. This is supposedly is a book written for young adults or teens, but I think it is a book that can be enjoyed by everyone- whether you have any native bloodline or not. -- Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of, How I Became A Ghost — A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story (Book 1 in the How I Became A Ghost Series). Lewis "Shoe" Blake is used to the joys and difficulties of life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation in 1975: the joking, the Fireball games, the snow blowing through his roof. Please try again. Unable to add item to List. I cried over the heartbreaking depth of these characters. If I Ever Get Out of Here centers around Lewis Blake, a Native American teenager in a gifted junior high program.Lewis might be academically successful, but he has no friends. Does this book contain quality or formatting issues? This is a great story. Please try again. ""Better teach him a good one, Evan," the helpful Truck said. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. I'm now on the lookout for more books by this author. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Once I had my glasses in hand, I spun backward and slammed us against the lockers. Lewis's relationships with his mother, his uncle, and even his peers ring true and draw readers deep into his world. This is a great story. ... June is rich and brilliant, the only candidate ever to get a perfect score in the Trials, and is destined for a glowing career in the military. First I want to address the simi All his white classmates don't have much to say to Lewis, and all of the kids from the reservation are just in the regular classes. If I Ever Get Out of Here was a book that caught our attention at Rich in Color, so we decided we should do a group discussion for it. More By and About This Author. This is a well written story about the angst, sadness and dispair that can grip you when you are young, poor and don't see a way forward. As the boys connect through their mutual passion for music, especially the Beatles, Lewis has to lie more and more to hide the reality of his family's poverty from George. Lewis, the main character, is a kid with amazing self-confidence and wisdom. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Lewis Blake is the only Tuscarora reservation kid tracked with the "brainiacs" in... read more. I really liked this book. All of the supporting characters, especially the adults—from Lewis’ beleaguered mother and iconoclastic uncle to George’s upright father and delicate German mother, and a host of teachers and administrators who look right past the daily violence perpetrated on Lewis—are carefully, beautifully drawn. And then it shows that there is hope, that work and love and faith can help one to a better place. Please try your request again later. I really liked this book. Eric is also a visual artist, generally incorporating paintings as integral elements into his written work. IF I EVER GET OUT OF HERE. This is supposedly is a book written for young adults or teens, but I think it is a book that can be enjoyed by everyone- whether you have any native bloodline or not. If we ever get out of here [Segue] [Verse 3] Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash As we fell into the sun And the first one said to the second one there "I hope you're having fun" This was amazing! What's he thinking? Overall. if i ever get out of here / Eric Gansworth. “Yeah, summer's almost here, but we got a whole long year ahead of us for that lesson,” Evan said. Both books take a sweeping arc to the story’s climax. In all his novels, illustrations form an integral part of the reading experience. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Or call 1-800-MY-APPLE. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Great book for any kid, or any person needing hope, or a taste of what is possible in friendships, Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2013. D All I need is a pint a day Am If I ever get out of here. Evan delivered one last kick to my butt as I put my glasses on. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books (Books), Teen & Young Adult 20th Century United States Historical Fiction, Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Bullying (Books). I stayed up late finishing this book. Part 2, Chapters 8-10. 2010 Apple. Enjoy this free preview Unlock all 35 pages of this Study Guide by subscribing today. The boys bond over girls and music (the Beatles, Paul McCartney and Wings, and Queen—it is the 1970s, after all), slowly letting their guards down, but when a vicious, well-connected bully sets his sights on Lewis, their friendship is sorely tested. Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2013. Edited in 2017Paul McCartney and Wings: Band On The RunLyrics:If I ever get out of here, Thought of giving it all away To a registered charity. Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2020. Can a love of rock and roll overcome all? George Haddonfield grew up on air force bases around the world and doesn't seem to know or care about the divisions between the reservation kids and everyone else. For the duration of sixth grade, he was invisible, but when burly, polite George Haddonfield arrives on the Air Force base and shows up in their seventh-grade class, Lewis might have found a friend. Addresses racial issues, educates about Native American life, but not at all preachy. I'm very glad I did. It took me back to places, both good and bad, that I lived and reminded me of things I had long forgotten about. Great book for any kid, or any person needing hope, or a taste of what is possible in friendships, Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2013. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! --. If I Ever Get Out of Here (Book) : Gansworth, Eric : Seventh-grader Lewis "Shoe" Blake from the Tuscarora Reservation has a new friend, George Haddonfield from the local Air Force base, but in 1975 upstate New York there is a lot of tension and hatred between Native Americans and Whites--and Lewis is not sure that he can rely on friendship. As a kid of mixed native descent and one who grew up in the 70's, this book spoke volumes to me. We wanted to love this book, but stopped after chapter four as it just failed to grab our attention..My son(12) and I were reading it together for his school assignment but never got immersed in the story as we found it a bit wordy..I seem to be the only one on here with a sub-par review though so I’m wondering if it’s because we had just finished the book ‘Then and Now’ which we enjoyed immensely, so maybe we were comparing it too much to that.. If I Ever Get Out of Here A Novel With Paintings (Book) : Gansworth, Eric L. : Seventh-grader Lewis "Shoe" Blake from the Tuscarora Reservation has a new friend, George Haddonfield from the local Air Force base, but in 1975 upstate New York there is a lot of tension and hatred between Native Americans and Whites--and Lewis is not sure that he can rely on friendship. Part 1, Chapters 4-7. The seventh grader has begun to accept his status until a new kid shows up in his class. The humor reminds me of Sherman Alexie's writing. Nonetheless, the overall tenor and wry humor of this novel more than make up for its weaknesses.–Evelyn Khoo Schwartz, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DCα(c) Copyright 2013. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Please try again. Lewis's relationships with his mother, his uncle, and even his peers ring true and draw readers deep into his world. Although Lewis and George bond over their shared love of the Beatles, George's friendly overtures to visit are constantly rebuffed by Lewis, who isn't sure if their tentative friendship will be able to withstand the jarring differences between George's home and his own. Apple in the Middle (Contemporary Voices of Indigenous Peoples Book 1), Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. -- "Washington Post". This book would be great for any high school kid, or any adult looking to believe in human integrity again. The book covers the school year of one First Nation boy, Lewis, and his friendship with an anglo classmate. If I ever get out of here That's what I'm gonna do Kkkkkk, Katmandu Take me baby cause I'm goin' with you If I ever get out of here I'm goin to Katmandu I ain't got nothin' against the east coast You want some people well they got the most And New York City's like a friendly ghost You seem to pass right through I know I'm gonna miss the USA Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. This is a great story. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. His short stories, poetry, and nonfiction have been printed and reprinted in many literary magazines and anthologies, and his dramatic work has appeared at the Public Theater in New York City. Give Me Some Truth. My quickest instinct was to protect my glasses. Summary. --Thom Barthelmess I'm very glad I did. If I ever get out of here This book is very good. Eric Gansworth is Lowery Writer-in-Residence and Professor of English at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and was recently NEH Distinguished Visiting Professor at Colgate University. An enrolled member of the Onondaga Nation, he was born and raised at the Tuscarora Reservation in Niagara County in upstate New York. he yelled, hitting me more rapidly. “Come on, they announced that we got to go back to homeroom.” Evan delivered one last kick to my butt as I put my glasses on. This is a great story. I was curious to know what he was reading and why the teachers had assigned this particular book, so I grabbed his copy one night when we were camping, and I read it all in one night in my tent with a flashlight. "Yeah, summer's almost here, but we got a whole long year ahead of us for that lesson," Evan said. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. This book would be great for any high school kid, or any adult looking to believe in human integrity again. Please visit his website at www.ericgansworth.com. Lewis "Shoe" Blake is used to the joys and difficulties of life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation in 1975: the joking, the Fireball games, the snow blowing through his roof. It doesn't need to be compared to Alexie's work. Absolutely recommend this to everyone! His debut novel for young readers, If I Ever Get Out of Here, was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults pick and an American Indian Library Association Young Adult Honor selection, and he is the author of numerous acclaimed books for adults. Oh yeah, I love the Beatles too, so that was part of the fun. If I Ever Get Out of Here. If I Ever Get Out of Here Welcome to my Prezi that is all about the book If I Ever Get Out of Here written by Eric Gansworth. Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team, Gr 6-9–In 1970s upstate New York, Lewis Blake inhabits two separate universes: the reservation where he lives in poverty with his mother and uncle, and school, where the fact that he is American Indian (and his sardonic sense of humor) has made him an outcast and a victim of bullying. Download Save. Does this book contain inappropriate content? Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Although Lewis and George bond over their shared love of the Beatles, George's friendly overtures to visit are constantly rebuffed by Lewis, who isn't sure if their tentative friendship will be able to withstand the jarring differences between George's home and his own. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Teen & Young Adult Native American Fiction eBooks, Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books (Kindle Store). What listeners say about If I Ever Get Out of Here. If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth -- Unit. My favorite quote: "Friends are always worth the moments of joy you share, even if they don't last." Life on the reservation is so vividly depicted that scenes set elsewhere, such as the air force base where George lives, feel a little flatly drawn in comparison. Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2018. Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2015. More Books by Eric Gansworth See All. Unable to add item to List. We wanted to love this book, but stopped after chapter four as it just failed to grab our attention..My son(12) and I were reading it together for his school assignment but never got immersed in the story as we found it a bit wordy..I seem to be the only one on here with a sub-par review though so I’m wondering if it’s because we had just finished the book ‘Then and Now’ which we enjoyed immensely, so maybe we were comparing it too much to that.. "Can you believe it? OTHER BOOKS. This is a well written story about the angst, sadness and dispair that can grip you when you are young, poor and don't see a way forward. Nonetheless, the overall tenor and wry humor of this novel more than make up for its weaknesses.–Evelyn Khoo Schwartz, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DCα(c) Copyright 2013. And although Gansworth manages the weighty themes of racism and poverty with nuance and finesse, at its heart, this is a rare and freehearted portrait of true friendship. It brought back so much awkwardness of middle school, trying to fit in, finding and losing a best friend. 2020 More ways to shop: Find an Apple Store or other retailer near you. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. To be honest -- it hit me right in the feels. He lives on a Tuscarora reservation in the city of New York. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. I think this would be a good book for high school juniors or seniors to read - even though they may not relate to Louis's life as a Native teen, they would certainly understand some of his school struggles, family issues, etc. I had it in my car and I'd drive extra just to keep listening. Families and communities are an integral part of the story, which adds multiple layers to explore. *Starred Review* Lewis Blake is bright and scrawny and the only kid from the Tuscarora Reservation tracked with the brainiacs at their county junior high in upstate New York. I cried over the heartbreaking depth of these characters. This was hard enough to drop Evan, but not hard enough to get him to reconsider his decision to target me.“Truck!” he yelled, hitting me more rapidly. The characters are alive and you will know them well by the end of this story. My rising 8th grader son was assigned this book over the summer. 4.5 out of 5 stars 4.7 out of 5.0 5 Stars 44 4 Stars 8 3 Stars 3 2 Stars 0 1 Stars 1 Performance. I admit to knowing nothing about life on a Reservation, and this was eye-opening. The Bloom's verbs will help you write your four questions per chapter! If I Ever Get Out of Here (2013), by Eric Gansworth—a member of Onondaga Nation and Haudenosaunee—is a young adult, contemporary fiction novel about a teenage boy, Lewis “Shoe” Blake. Even if you were just a kid who enjoyed the rock of the day, this walk down memory lane will surely have you smiling.