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The Fingertips Of Duncan Dorfman
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Twelve-year-olds Duncan Dorfman, April Blunt, and Nate Saviano meet at the Youth Scrabble Tournament where, although each has a different reason for attending and for needing to win, they realize that something more important is at stake than the grand prize.
304 pages, Library Binding
First published September 20, 2011
39 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
About the author
Meg Wolitzer
49 books3,025 followersMeg Wolitzer is the New York Times–bestselling author of The Interestings, The Uncoupling, The Ten-Year Nap, The Position, The Wife, and Sleepwalking. She is also the author of the young adult novel Belzhar. Wolitzer lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
April 23, 2012
Duncan is a social outcast who doesn't have much going for him. He and his mother just moved to Drilling Falls, PA after she lost her job in their old town. Now they live with his aunt, and she works at Thriftee Mike's. Duncan sits at the outcasts table and tries to stay un-noticed, but when he shows his secret talent to his one friend, the ability to read with his fingertips, the school bully and Scrabble champion notices, and wants Duncan on his team for the Youth Scrabble Tournament (YST).
April is the word-nerd in a family of jocks. She's desperate to prove to her family that she is worth something. Winning the YST might do that.
Nate's father lost the YST by one word when he was twelve years old. Obsessed with having his son succeed where he failed, he homeschools him on a Scrabble curriculum. Nate would rather go to school and skateboard. He knows that winning the YST is his only chance to finally be free of his father's obsession.
All three of these tweens come together at the YST tournament in Florida. But who will win?
April is the word-nerd in a family of jocks. She's desperate to prove to her family that she is worth something. Winning the YST might do that.
Nate's father lost the YST by one word when he was twelve years old. Obsessed with having his son succeed where he failed, he homeschools him on a Scrabble curriculum. Nate would rather go to school and skateboard. He knows that winning the YST is his only chance to finally be free of his father's obsession.
All three of these tweens come together at the YST tournament in Florida. But who will win?
April 24, 2019
This was a cute book but I was seriously hoping or
February 20, 2012
This book entered my life in a timely manner, as I've been cheating my way through several games of Words with Friends. The type of sporting book I can really get behind.
May 22, 2019
The misfit, the homeschooled skateboarder, and the superhuman all brought together by the game of Scrabble. In the book The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman by Meg Wolitzer these three characters live totally different lives but then, one game brings them together.
First, when Duncan Dorfman moves to his mom's hometown, he figures out about a special ability he has. He's able to read with his fingertips. As Duncan tries to fit in and also figure out what happened to his dad he comes across a game, that game is Scrabble.
Next, is Nate Savino, a teen in New York who is trying to live up to his dad's Scrabble expectations. He’s homeschooled and forced to practice Scrabble, his dad even makes him, “Stay up late playing an online Scrabble game with a player from New Zealand”(Wolitzer 53). All he really wants to do is skateboard and go back to school with his friends.
Lastly, is April Blunt, She's the only non-athletic one in her family. She is almost always ignored and just wants to prove that Scrabble is a sport and it does mean something. As her father sometimes said, “If he hadn't actually witnessed the moment she popped out into the world, he would have sworn that they had been given the wrong baby”(Wolitzer 29).
The one thing that these three kids have in common is the game of Scrabble, and when it comes down to it all of them are trying to win the National Youth Scrabble tournament and the 10,000 dollar prize that goes with it. This book was suggested to me by my sister, at first I was doubtful. But this book proved to be full of twists so if you like fun climatic books this is a book for you.
First, when Duncan Dorfman moves to his mom's hometown, he figures out about a special ability he has. He's able to read with his fingertips. As Duncan tries to fit in and also figure out what happened to his dad he comes across a game, that game is Scrabble.
Next, is Nate Savino, a teen in New York who is trying to live up to his dad's Scrabble expectations. He’s homeschooled and forced to practice Scrabble, his dad even makes him, “Stay up late playing an online Scrabble game with a player from New Zealand”(Wolitzer 53). All he really wants to do is skateboard and go back to school with his friends.
Lastly, is April Blunt, She's the only non-athletic one in her family. She is almost always ignored and just wants to prove that Scrabble is a sport and it does mean something. As her father sometimes said, “If he hadn't actually witnessed the moment she popped out into the world, he would have sworn that they had been given the wrong baby”(Wolitzer 29).
The one thing that these three kids have in common is the game of Scrabble, and when it comes down to it all of them are trying to win the National Youth Scrabble tournament and the 10,000 dollar prize that goes with it. This book was suggested to me by my sister, at first I was doubtful. But this book proved to be full of twists so if you like fun climatic books this is a book for you.
August 30, 2011
Years ago a friend donated a copy of a book to the library in which I worked. This book was supposed to boost SAT scores by giving students access to the "15-cent word" vocabulary they'd need in context, so all over the pages were words underlined to indicate HERE IS AN SAT WORD. Oddly enought, no one every borrowed this book, even those avidly preparing for the exams. Why do I mention this? Because this book feels the same to me: let's get kids into Scrabble, fitting a story in around lists of two-letter words (I'm not kidding, there are six pages of word lists in the first section of the book) and anagrams. Word nerds may pick it up, but finding a bigger audience may not work.
I also thought that the adults were rather charicaturish, and the kids (who were definite stereotypes) would have been far more interesting without the overlay of Scrabble. As for the plot, the non-Scrabble-related conflicts are resolved after the Big Tournament in a rather perfunctory manner. That's too bad, because had this not been characters and plot slotted in to promote the author's plot device, I could have really enjoyed getting to know Duncan, Nate, Maxie, Lucy and April.
ARC provided by publisher.
I also thought that the adults were rather charicaturish, and the kids (who were definite stereotypes) would have been far more interesting without the overlay of Scrabble. As for the plot, the non-Scrabble-related conflicts are resolved after the Big Tournament in a rather perfunctory manner. That's too bad, because had this not been characters and plot slotted in to promote the author's plot device, I could have really enjoyed getting to know Duncan, Nate, Maxie, Lucy and April.
ARC provided by publisher.
March 22, 2012
This is a great book about a boy with a "power" for knowing what's written on a page(or a Scrabble tile)simply by touching it. Another boy wants to harness the power, by making him his teammate at a national Scrabble tournament. Duncan meets many new friends who are participating in the tournament for their own various reasons, some not so willingly, and he has to determine whether his desire to win is worth the guilt of cheating against these worthy competitors. The assorted stories of the characters and Duncan's own complex history make for a very gripping and well-paced novel. The author writes with a great deal of sensitivity, but adds enough kid humor and action to keep the book from being only about the game. The tips for Scrabble strategies and must-know word lists are a pleasing bonus.
January 31, 2014
I would almost give this three stars, but I just couldn't. I liked the characters and I appreciated that everyone had different motivations for wanting to win the Scrabble tournament. I was also interested in finding out who would win in the end.
So my first problem is that Duncan's super power was basically pointless. It was a plot device to make Carl want to be his partner, but other than that served no real purpose. In a book with no other elements of fantasy, it just didn't fit. Second, the coincidences were over the top. I know this is a kid's book and I don't mind coincidences at all if the writing is amazing, but these were just bad.
I will say the book did make me want to play Scrabble.
So my first problem is that Duncan's super power was basically pointless. It was a plot device to make Carl want to be his partner, but other than that served no real purpose. In a book with no other elements of fantasy, it just didn't fit. Second, the coincidences were over the top. I know this is a kid's book and I don't mind coincidences at all if the writing is amazing, but these were just bad.
I will say the book did make me want to play Scrabble.
August 26, 2011
This book is about a series of kids who compete in a national tournament. Each kid has their own little subplot. Nate is forced to play by his dad, who lost at a former Scrabble tournament. April is looking for a kid she met years ago at a pool on vacation who loved Scrabble. And Duncan has a special power that he can read words using only his fingertips. The book was extremely fast paced, and as a Scrabble fan, I enjoyed all the trivia and references. As a teen novel, it wasn't that dramatic, and the plot was very light and breezy, with some very predictable twists. I'd recommend this to a young Scrabble lover for sure!
December 31, 2011
I’ve always gravitated to children’s books about characters with extraordinary powers. I’m not talking about the iconic Batman and Superman. I love reading about kids who are somewhat nerdy but have a special talent. Now I can add The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman to my list of favorite "power" novels such as Savy, Powerless and The Trouble with Jenny's Ear. Duncan is faced with moral choices as to when to use his ability to feel letters beneath his fingertips. The group of new friends he makes at the Scrabble tournament all have their own interesting back stories too. Delightful.
January 1, 2012
Maybe it's just my love of (or obsession with) playing Words With Friends, but I really enjoyed this book about six kids and their adventures in the world of Scrabble tournaments. They are each there for different reasons, each searching for something different, that they may or may not be able to find through Scrabble. I enjoyed reading how they found things to appreciate in each other, no matter how different they all seemed at first. I know exactly which Scrabble-loving 6th grader I am going to give this to -- he keeps beating me at Words With Friends!
May 28, 2015
This book is perfect for middle school readers. It's the story of a group of smart kids from around the US who come together for the Youth Scrabble Tournament -- each with his or her backstory, each with his or her secret reasons for being in the tournament. I enjoyed this book a lot ... in large part, I admit, because I love Scrabble. But also because it showcases Meg Wolitzer's ability to weave together disparate storylines in believable ways -- even when it results in some impressive coincidences. I will be urging my 12 year old daughter to read it. It's a fun summer read.
August 26, 2011
so far so good, my daughter is only a couple chapters in but she is likeing it :)
My daughter loved it, she says that people who like words, and scrable in particular would love this book. We played a few games of scrabble ourselves while she read it! For either boys or girls, some of it is quiet funny. She says she thinks it is for 8-12 year olds. She recommends it for sure.
My daughter loved it, she says that people who like words, and scrable in particular would love this book. We played a few games of scrabble ourselves while she read it! For either boys or girls, some of it is quiet funny. She says she thinks it is for 8-12 year olds. She recommends it for sure.
September 5, 2011
Wolitzer scores a triple word bonus with her first novel for young readers.The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman follows three, mostly ordinary 12-year olds competing in the National Youth Scrabble Tournament. Everyone has their own unique reason for playing scrabble and wanting to win. A lot of fun and vocabulary-building to boot!
March 4, 2015
An entertaining YA novel that manages to dramatize playing Scrabble (no easy task) as well as deal with some serious daddy issues. Read this aloud to my kids as a bedtime book and they got a big kick out of it, particularly the part where the contestants are (almost) all stuck in a dark, damp theme park ride and one young one shouts out, "I have to urinate!"
August 6, 2011
Another wonderful adult author whose foray into kid lit is a rousing success! Wolitzer's fresh, quirky adventure reminded me of "The View From Saturday", while still remaining unique. I couldn't put it down!
--Review by Lauren
--Review by Lauren
April 6, 2013
Misfit middle-schooler makes a place for himself, against the backdrop of the Youth Scrabble Tournament. The writing and plot are admittedly uneven, but this book has a good heart and we enjoyed reading it.
May 30, 2011
Scrabble lovers, fans of the underdog, and those who loved The View from Saturday and The Wednesday Wars will love Wolitzer's story about the power of believing in yourself.
August 17, 2011
Well-crafted story, great Scrabble detais (why no nod to Stefan Fatsis's Word Play?)and finely drawn characters make this a page-turning winner.
July 7, 2017
Exceptional people, ethical quandaries, separate threads coming together . . . there's a lot to like about this book.
August 9, 2022
I haven't read any of Meg Wolitzer's novels aimed at adults, so I had no idea what to expect from this book. The premise seemed quirky but fun, and I enjoy quirky books. "The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman" turned out to be a nicely charming read -- definitely quirky, but also surprisingly sweet and thoughtful, with some fun insight on a popular board game as well.
Duncan is an ordinary kid of a single mother... until he discovers he can "see" pictures and words through his fingertips, which leads to him reluctantly heading to Florida for a national Scrabble tournament. April is entering said tournament to prove to her family that she can still be a champion even if she isn't an athlete... and to hopefully track down a boy she met years ago over a Scrabble board. Nate has been pushed to compete in the tournament by his father, a former almost-champion who wants him to succeed where he failed. All three kids end up becoming unlikely friends over the weekend, a weekend of skateboard accidents, alligator-themed amusement parks, and bingo-bongos.
A lot of authors seem to think that they need to dumb down their writing when making the transition from adult fiction to YA or middle-grade fiction. I haven't read Wolitzer's adult novels, but it feels like she hasn't fallen into that trap here. I never felt like her writing was "talking down" to its intended audience, and she still writes decently and crafts three interesting stories that twine together nicely. If some of the situations the characters find themselves in are a little ridiculous... well, this IS a world where a kid can read print through his fingertips and people treat a Scrabble tournament like the World Series, so a few ridiculous things are okay, hehe...
The characters are well-done as well, with their own flaws and motivations, and their own personal struggles they have to face. I enjoyed reading about each character's journey, and seeing them make difficult decisions and grapple with the consequences along the way. Each character learns and grows through the novel, and if the resolutions to some of their personal stories feel a little too convenient... well, that happens, but I still enjoyed the journey.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to read the author's adult works, but "The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman" was a quirky and fun middle-grade read. And it makes me want to play Scrabble...
Duncan is an ordinary kid of a single mother... until he discovers he can "see" pictures and words through his fingertips, which leads to him reluctantly heading to Florida for a national Scrabble tournament. April is entering said tournament to prove to her family that she can still be a champion even if she isn't an athlete... and to hopefully track down a boy she met years ago over a Scrabble board. Nate has been pushed to compete in the tournament by his father, a former almost-champion who wants him to succeed where he failed. All three kids end up becoming unlikely friends over the weekend, a weekend of skateboard accidents, alligator-themed amusement parks, and bingo-bongos.
A lot of authors seem to think that they need to dumb down their writing when making the transition from adult fiction to YA or middle-grade fiction. I haven't read Wolitzer's adult novels, but it feels like she hasn't fallen into that trap here. I never felt like her writing was "talking down" to its intended audience, and she still writes decently and crafts three interesting stories that twine together nicely. If some of the situations the characters find themselves in are a little ridiculous... well, this IS a world where a kid can read print through his fingertips and people treat a Scrabble tournament like the World Series, so a few ridiculous things are okay, hehe...
The characters are well-done as well, with their own flaws and motivations, and their own personal struggles they have to face. I enjoyed reading about each character's journey, and seeing them make difficult decisions and grapple with the consequences along the way. Each character learns and grows through the novel, and if the resolutions to some of their personal stories feel a little too convenient... well, that happens, but I still enjoyed the journey.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to read the author's adult works, but "The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman" was a quirky and fun middle-grade read. And it makes me want to play Scrabble...
August 25, 2017
"Sometimes your talent ... your tiny, weird skill, or even your power ... just has to get out."
Drilling Falls, PA: There's something special about Duncan Dorfman. That special skill could just get him in with the popular crowd, but his mother warns him not to let anyone know about it. It could lead to serious consequences. And she's right. When the secret gets out, it draws the attention of Carl Slater, part time scrabble player and full time bully.
Portland, OR: April Blunt has a mysterious boy she's trying to locate. She met him once at a motel swimming pool and really seemed to connect with him. But she never got his name. The one thing she did do is teach this guy how to play scrabble. Is that enough of a clue to find him?
New York City: Nate Saviano has been taken out of school to be home-schooled by his father. This is not something that Nate is looking forward to. Sure, he has a lot more free time to do some skateboarding, but he misses his friends. And the only things his Dad seems interested in getting him to learn are hints, tips, roots and other skills that will help him play scrabble better. Really?
Did you catch the common thread? That's right ... these three kids meet up at the Youth Scrabble Tournament in Florida. All are there for different reasons. They all face different dilemmas. But together, they seek to work through their problems and support each other on their way to success. Unfortunately, only one of them can come out on top. But which one will it be? "You never really knew for sure what was going to happen next in life, Duncan thought. That was part of the pain, and the fun. You never knew the end of the story until it happened."
A fun, quick read with some serious undertones about friendship, choices and consequences.
Drilling Falls, PA: There's something special about Duncan Dorfman. That special skill could just get him in with the popular crowd, but his mother warns him not to let anyone know about it. It could lead to serious consequences. And she's right. When the secret gets out, it draws the attention of Carl Slater, part time scrabble player and full time bully.
Portland, OR: April Blunt has a mysterious boy she's trying to locate. She met him once at a motel swimming pool and really seemed to connect with him. But she never got his name. The one thing she did do is teach this guy how to play scrabble. Is that enough of a clue to find him?
New York City: Nate Saviano has been taken out of school to be home-schooled by his father. This is not something that Nate is looking forward to. Sure, he has a lot more free time to do some skateboarding, but he misses his friends. And the only things his Dad seems interested in getting him to learn are hints, tips, roots and other skills that will help him play scrabble better. Really?
Did you catch the common thread? That's right ... these three kids meet up at the Youth Scrabble Tournament in Florida. All are there for different reasons. They all face different dilemmas. But together, they seek to work through their problems and support each other on their way to success. Unfortunately, only one of them can come out on top. But which one will it be? "You never really knew for sure what was going to happen next in life, Duncan thought. That was part of the pain, and the fun. You never knew the end of the story until it happened."
A fun, quick read with some serious undertones about friendship, choices and consequences.
August 20, 2025
Scrabble! That board game that has so many levels of perfection. The one where you receive yellow tiles, with letters printed on them that need to be formed into words. Brilliant. As is this middle-grade novel, which is all about pairs of children who team together to represent their schools in an annual Scrabble tournament. It's about friendship, family secrets, parenting, game-playing, word play and the power of your own confidence.
I read this novel to my 4th grade fraternal twins and they both loved it, as did I. It's "delightful storytelling" #rebeccastead #newburyawardwinner #whenyoureachme , some fun characters and lots of details that will appeal to adults reading to children too. Recommended for reading aloud but I could have just as easily read this for myself, especially since I know #Megwolitzer and her incredible skill for crafting real worldly people who are alive in her novels.
This is another old novel published back in 2011, which was incidentally the year when my first (now 14 year old) was born. One I'm so glad I found in our #locallibrary #fbclibraries and don't you want to know about #thefingertipsofduncandorfman ?
#readabitofeverything #readingcommunity #bookclubs #bookswithkids #readingwithchildren #readtogether #bedtimereading #scrabble #wordgames #wordplay #literary #middlegradefiction #reading #readingandwriting #teamwork #friendship #themesinnovels #confidence #storytelling #duncandorfman #scrabblesuperpower #youthscrabbletournament
I read this novel to my 4th grade fraternal twins and they both loved it, as did I. It's "delightful storytelling" #rebeccastead #newburyawardwinner #whenyoureachme , some fun characters and lots of details that will appeal to adults reading to children too. Recommended for reading aloud but I could have just as easily read this for myself, especially since I know #Megwolitzer and her incredible skill for crafting real worldly people who are alive in her novels.
This is another old novel published back in 2011, which was incidentally the year when my first (now 14 year old) was born. One I'm so glad I found in our #locallibrary #fbclibraries and don't you want to know about #thefingertipsofduncandorfman ?
#readabitofeverything #readingcommunity #bookclubs #bookswithkids #readingwithchildren #readtogether #bedtimereading #scrabble #wordgames #wordplay #literary #middlegradefiction #reading #readingandwriting #teamwork #friendship #themesinnovels #confidence #storytelling #duncandorfman #scrabblesuperpower #youthscrabbletournament
February 5, 2019
Cute, entertaining story with an unusual premise. But Duncan's strange talent for reading words with just his fingertips is woven into the story in a believable way and raises pertinent questions of cheating and ethics. Meg Wolitzer is a very funny writer. I really enjoyed the way she'd have little running jokes throughout the novel, and her jingles are certainly memorable. The one part of the story that I thought was too far-fetched was [SPOILER ALERT] Carl's drastic 180 in attitude near the end. Why would he suddenly just apologize to Duncan and turn over a new leaf? Not believable at all.
That ruined the end for me. Also the part where April finds her Scrabble boy--seriously? What are the chances of that?
Other than those two issues, I enjoyed this book and recommend it for children in grades 5-8. Even precocious 4th graders might like it.
That ruined the end for me. Also the part where April finds her Scrabble boy--seriously? What are the chances of that?
Other than those two issues, I enjoyed this book and recommend it for children in grades 5-8. Even precocious 4th graders might like it.
June 23, 2021
This book smacks of unfulfilled potential. A book revolving around Scrabble games and a Scrabble competition could be a wonderful thing, but instead it has a poor plot and simply inexcusable characterizations - each and every adult in the story is a specimen of disappointment and the main antagonist is a stereotypical bully, who along with the terrible adults suddenly and conveniently have a change of heart at the end. Gave it one star because I did want to know how the author would end it/who would win the competition
June 12, 2024
This story was so interesting that it made me go dug my 25-year old Scrabble set out of the cupboard. I learned a lot of things about the game I never knew, and it made me wish I had some friends who wanted to play.
I enjoyed the storyline greatly, despite a few inplausible moments - such as Duncan's mother who reads a book to relax a mere few hours after being overcome by a migraine.
The setting was fun, and there were some quirky unexpected happenings that kept it entertaining!
I think this book would make a great family movie!
I enjoyed the storyline greatly, despite a few inplausible moments - such as Duncan's mother who reads a book to relax a mere few hours after being overcome by a migraine.
The setting was fun, and there were some quirky unexpected happenings that kept it entertaining!
I think this book would make a great family movie!
November 20, 2019
I never would have read this book if it weren’t for my daughter. Her fifth grade teacher decided to introduce a book club for her students and parents and this book was chosen. It’s a great story about relationships between children, and also the relationships of the children and their parents. Who knew a book about Scrabble could be about so much more. I also learned a lot about playing Scrabble. I absolutely loved this book.
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November 30, 2019Entertaining story that centers around the national Youth Scrabble Tournament. The novel's perspective is divided among three main protagonists: Duncan Dorfman, April Blunt, and Nate Saviano. Each of them has their own motivation and concerns, which they bring with them to the tournament. I enjoyed the way that this story incorporates the lore and flavor of Scrabble, but readers who are unfamiliar with the game can easily follow the story.
May 20, 2019
My daughter picked this up from the library, enjoyed it, and suggested I read it. Being a lover of words but detesting Scrabble (strange combination, I know, owing to a brain that can. not. unscramble. words.), I enjoyed the journey of learning to appreciate the game. It was a cute story, which made both normal characters and a normal game interesting. Recommended age range: tweens.
May 10, 2023
I thought this book was pretty good for kids; made me interested in scrabble, had some relatable kid moments, and some more cheezy kid type scenarios. We were gifted this book by my daughter's teacher and read it as a family. We were all entertained if nothing else, but I think we also learned some things.
January 1, 2018
This book deserves more than 3,6 ratings on goodreads! It's a fun and heartfelt middle grade. Full of lovable characters with different motives to participate in a scrabble competition. The ending is a bit over the top and over-dramatic, but this book, once again, deserves more love!! :"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews