Melonhead

by Michael de Guzman

A road novel for young readers

Twelve-year-old Sidney T. Mellon has an unfortunate name considering that his head is round and much too large for his body, his red hair stands straight up in a long crew cut, and his expression is perpetually flushed. A cantaloupe is what usually comes to mind. So does the nickname Melonhead.

What chance does Sidney have, looking like this, yo-yoing back and forth between Seattle and Los Angeles, living part of each year with each of his divorced parents? He is disconnected from both distracted parents; he is disconnected from his own distracted self. No wonder he gets on a bus in Los Angeles one day and heads for New York City, making up ridiculous names and stories about himself at the drop of a hat whenever he meets somebody new. But each of the people Sidney meets on his diesel-powered journey across America contributes something to his understanding of who he is and where he's going. What he will do when he gets there, what he will discover about the unhappiness in his life, he has no idea. He just knows that he has to find out.

Genres: Childrens

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

I grew up seeing hypocrisy pretty much everywhere I looked. I still see it. I believe it must be conquered. I think love, hope, romance and our imaginations are the best way to do it. Most of all I believe that kids get the short end of the stick. We pay lip service to the idea that they are the future, but we short change them. Kids don't have the vote. They don't have lobbyists because they don't have money. Everything about their lives is determined by adults, often to their detriment.

I write about kids who populate the margins of society, who have something big to face in life, who take action on their own behalf, and who are aided along the way by adults who live on the margins themselves. I write about the world we live in, and the world inside my head. They tend to be quite different places.

My latest novel for kids and parents, GROWING UP RITA, is the story of a mother and daughter caught up with the problems of immigration. MELONHEAD and BEEKMAN'S BIG DEAL are now available in paperback and as ebooks.

I attended Trinity School in New York City, and the University of Rhode Island, where I met my wife. We live in Seattle, Washington with our dog, Banjo.

Reviews

[Lucky Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undervalued for it's theme.

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

De mis mejores lecturas de la vida. Lloradita al final :,).

[Anonymous bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

*****Summary*****
This book Melonhead, was a pretty good book. It's not the thing I usually pick out but I liked it. It started with Sidney (melonhead) having trouble with his life because his parents are divorced. Each year he has to go back and forth between his dad and himself.
Sidney also has another problem, he has a giant head. So with that problem combined with the parents divorced thing its really hard for Sidney. Sidney decides to run away and go to Boston. On the way there he goes to his Aunt to say hi. The next day his parents come to take him back but he tells them that he wants to live with his Aunt.

*****Main Character*****
-Sidney has a huge head. He has red hair and is very curious. Sidney is the one who gets picked on everywhere he goes. He lives in Los Angelas and Seattle. Sidney is the one who meets new people and new friends.

*****Setting*****
This book started at Sidneys house in Seattle. He was at dinner eating some steak when he rufused to eat the fat. His soon to be step father comes over and forces the fat into his mouth. After that Sidney runs upstairs and hides. Later he goes down to see his real dad in Los Angelas.

*****Conflict*****
The problem in this story is that Sidneys step father is very mean to Sidney. This is the conflict because after that he heads to his dads house and runs away. If Sidneys step father wasn't mean to him this wouldn't have happened on the first place. Then there wouldn't be a conflict at all.

*****Resolution*****
The resolution is the best part in the story. It's the best part because something happens that you don't expect. The resolution in this book is that Sidney decides to live with his aunt. This is the best part because Sidney hates his aunt and his aunt hates him.

*****Opinion*****
To me this was a boring book. I mean I liked it but it was just boring. The most exciting thing in this book was when he got beat up by some kids in New York City. I like the books with more adventure in them. To me this book is more for teachers to read to their student because it's not inappropriate fore school

*****Recommendation*****
I would recommend this book because you get an idea what kids have to go through. Even the parents have to go through a lot to help Sidney. So when you are at the library next go check out this book and read it. It made me think twice about some people.

[Cherry (_forevermint) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised when I began reading the book because I thought it was something written for small children because of the title. It turned out to be much closer to my age group than I thought. It was a quick read but I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought the story had good pacing and I enjoyed how the characters were revealed through the simplicity of their thoughts. The meaning behind the dialogue was subtle yet gave the reader something to think about. I enjoyed journeying across the country with Melonhead and meeting the array of characters he met, some were surprising to say the least. It was a good journey overall, with short meetings and memorable faces. Melonhead is about a journey we all have to take, one in which we don't really know where we're going or what we'll do when we get there but one that challenges us and teaches us about life and where we fit in the big picture. It's about growing up and accepting who you are, no matter who you are, "everybody has something."

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative! this was a wonderful example of what so many children endure in today's divorce world. Sidney is shuttled between his parents, who are divorced. One is too busy, the other in aan abusive relationship. Sidney thinks he would rather be alone and runs away. This story is remeniscent of the movie "North."

I won this book through Goodreads First Reads Program!

[Cynthia Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a goodreads first reads book giveaway. I loved this book. I will be buying this author's other books as well. I related on a personal level to Sidney going back to my childhood. This book spoke volumes to me. I want more from this author. I am sure that the readers will feel the same way.

[Rory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um, no. No kid would enjoy this. Meandering and depressing and, really? Really, no. Why are so many of the books I'm reading for the mock Newberies evoking this same response in me?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

very sad

[Cheryl Meibos · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was rather sad--it seemed like the boy, Sidney, never really
got over his physical limitations (a big head)to find out what he has to offer the world.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of Melonhead in a giveaway for free on Goodreads first reads...

[Paprika Stiletto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty sad, but also not too dense. It makes you think. It's ok for tweens/teens, maybe not smaller kids.

[Jetzabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó porque me dio la idea de viajar a los cincuenta estados, pienso que sería genial.

[Lance Doering · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending is not as good as the rest of the story.