Hole in my Life

Gantos, Jack. 2002. HOLE IN MY LIFE. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 978-0-374-43089-4

Jack Gantos, author of Rotten Ralph children’s books and the Joey Pigza series, shares his life and his ambition to become a writer in this compelling autobiography, Hole in My Life. Gantos starts his story as a prisoner in the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution in Ashland, Kentucky rewinding to his years in high school. He then shares his entire life circling back to his time in prison arriving at the moment he leaves and briefly sheds light on his future endeavors. He begins his novel with a quote from Oscar Wilde – “I have learned this: it is not what one does that is wrong, but what one becomes as a consequence of it.” This is a powerfully meaningful quote describing Gantos’ life in that although he had a troubled life, he used his difficulties to become a writer and a better man. “Above all, this is the story of a young writer trying to find inspiration for his work. Ultimately, he finds the greatest inspiration within himself (Hames, 2002).”

In his autobiography, readers will be lead through the harsh reality of Gantos’ life especially while in prison. Although a writer of children’s books, this is a book for older teens or adults as he describes his experimentation and addiction to alcohol and drugs, the brutal fights in prison, and the gang rape of an acquaintance. Teens will appreciate his candor about the events in his life. Gantos effectively uses descriptive imagery to convey his experiences when he describes his and Hamilton’s ability, or lack of, to steer the boat as “crash(ing) into them like kamikaze yachtsmen,” when he drank too much and “power barfed,” and the moment he entered his new apartment at The King’s Court he encountered “musty smelling sheets folded over an exhausted pillow.” Helping readers related to the time period, he includes events of the 70s such as the racial turmoil in Puerto Rico and culture of easily-attained drugs. Gantos weaves quotes and snippets from authors he admires relating his life at times to things he’s read. The tone of the book seems almost comical when Gantos relates his high school year then becomes fearful and somber as his life spirals into a life of drugs and crime. Students dealing with difficult situations will be able to relate to Gantos’ trials and find hope in that things can get better. “Gantos’s honesty and directness in describing the whole experience make reading this book a gut-wrenching experience (Blasingame, 2002).”

Hole in My Life has received many honors to include the 2003 Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award and the 2003 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal. It was also included in numerous best book and state book lists such as the 2002 Children’s Literature Choice List, the 2003 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, the 2002 Smithsonian Magazine’s Notable Books for Children, and the 2002 School Library Journal Best Books list. Students, teachers and librarians wishing to learn more about Jack Gantos and his books can visit his website at http://www.jackgantos.com/.

References

Blasingame, James. 2002. “Home in My Life Book Review.” Voice of Youth Advocates, 25.2. Library Lit & Inf Full Text. WilsonWeb (accessed November 21, 2011).

Hames, Thomas Nigel. 2002. “Clip and File YA Book Reviews: Hole in My Life.” The ALAN Review, 29: 3.http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/v29n3/ (accessed November 21, 2011).