How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Author: Gary Paulsen
Published: 2004, Yearling
128 pages

This book is the definition of “short and sweet.”  I read it in half a sitting.  Paulsen starts out with a lighthearted dedication: “This book is dedicated to all boys in their thirteenth year; the miracle is that we live through it” and carries this sweet humorous tone throughout his true tales of dangerous teenage boy behavior.

In the title story, one of Paulsen’s friends decides he wants to break the world record for speed on skis and the results, as well as the journey leading to the results, are hilarious.  All of Paulsen’s tales are endearing, with a sweet sense of nostalgia, and very entertaining.

Many reviewers laud this book as an ideal read for elementary-age or teenage boys, but I could see many girls really enjoying this book as well.  I know that my own thrill-seeking teenage girl self (I used to light rolls of toilet paper on fire “just because” and also “to see what would happen.”) would have really appreciated the antics these boys resorted to out of sheer boredom and curiosity.