Knucklehead

Scieszka, J. (2008)//. Knucklehead: Tall tales & mostly true stories about growing up Scieszka.// New York, NY: Viking.

Scieszka reflects on what it was like to grow up in a family of 6 boys and the humor and chaos that ensues. Each chapter presents a specific moment/event in the life of young Jon, but in true Scieszka style humor is at the forefront of the story.
 * Summary:**


 * Grade Level:** 4.6
 * Reading Level:** 5-8

//Knucklehead// is the perfect mentor text for students when writing memoirs. The short, quick chapters that focus on only a brief event from Scieszka's life are prime examples of memoir writing.
 * Curriculum Connections:**

In this arch, glib, unapologetically shame-free outing, Scieszka, who grew up as the second of six sons, has written an autobiography about boys, for boys and anyone else interested in baseball, fire, and peeing on stuff. The format of the book is perfectly suited to both casual and reluctant readers. The text is divided into two- to three-page nonsequential chapters and peppered with scrapbook snapshots and comic-book-ad reproductions. The accessibly irreverent language pushes the boundaries of moderation even as it reflects a sort of skewed wholesomeness. But the real testosterone payoff here is in the stories, which range from losing battles with fractious parochial-school nuns to taking turns watching little brothers (wherein the author watched brother number six eat a cigarette butt and charged neighborhood kids to watch him do it again). By themselves, the chapters entertain with abrupt, vulgar fun. Taken together, they offer a look at the makings of one very funny author and a happy answer to the dreaded autobiography book report.--Barthelmess, Thom
 * Booklist Review 2008: (from Mackin)**