Notes From the Midnight Driver

 Title: Notes From the Midnight Driver
Author: Jordan Sonnenblick
Author's Website:http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/my-books/notes-from-the-midnight-driver/

ISBN: 978-0-439-75779-9

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright Date: 2006

Genre: Humor

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Horn Book, 2007. School Library Journal, 2006. Booklist, 2006.

Plot Summary: After crashing his parent's car, sixteen year old Alex is required to complete community service at an elderly home. Solomon Lewis is a seemingly grouchy man who doesn't hold back with his Yiddish insults. Through music the two are able to bond and learn life lessons from one another.

Critical Evaluation: Sonnenblick succeeds at giving a teenage voice to this 1st person narrative. Alex's character is humorous and should be identifiable to most teens. Unfortunately, the overused plot line proved to be rather foreseeable, a predictable coming of age tale. The dialogue came across as unnatural and reminiscent of a sitcom.

Reader's Annotation: When a teenager makes a huge mistake with his parent's car, he learns how to take responsibility for more than just his actions. 

Booktalking Ideas: Responsibility
Challenge issues if any: Alex was driving drunk, however in the book there are clearly consequences for his actions.

Why did you include this book: I included this book because it falls under the comedy genre and would be appreciated by most teens for its sarcasm. 
Quote: "P.S. A Yiddish phrase that might come in handy for your use with Mr. Lewis is 'Bluz in toches' Like Mr. Lewis, I am Jewish, and in the proud language of our people, this means 'blow it out your butt."