California Blue

by David Klass

Teenager John Rodgers and his dying father find themselves on opposite sides of an environmental battlefield. At issue is a new species of blue butterflies that John discovers on a jog through land owned by the lumber mill that employs his father and most of his town. An ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Environment, Contemporary, Animals, School, Realistic Fiction

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

David Klass is the author of many young adult novels, including You Don’t Know Me, Dark Angel, and Firestorm (The Caretaker Trilogy). He is also a Hollywood screenwriter, having written more than twenty-five action screenplays, including Kiss the Girls, starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, Walking Tall, starring The Rock, and Desperate Measures, starring Michael Keaton and Andy Garcia. Klass grew up in a family that loved literature and theater—his parents were both college professors and writers—but he was a reluctant reader, preferring sports to books. But he started loving the adventure stories his parents would bring home from the library—particularly Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson and Alexandre Dumas. After his sister twice won a story contest in Seventeen magazine, Klass decided he would win it too, and when he was a senior in high school, he did, publishing his first story, “Ringtoss,” in the magazine. He studied at Yale University, where he won the Veech Award for Best Imaginative Writing. He taught English in Japan, and wrote his first novel, The Atami Dragons, about that experience. He now lives in New York with his wife and two children.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidk...

Reviews

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very special little book.It is apparently out of print and has been suggested for young adult audiences. I think the only reason for that limitation is that it is about a young adult. I found this book in our public library's book shop and in reading the summary found that it was about a high school junior that was a good distance runner, had a compulsion for nature and natural things and had a hard demanding father. Since all of those issues were part of my childhood, I couldn't help paying my 50 cents and buying the book. David Klass must of been a distance runner, because I have never heard the emotions that one has at the end of a long grueling run so well described. But the adventure of watching a boy grow into a man within a week is told very sensitively and doesn't fit with the sterotypes of our current world. A delightful book that I will read again.

[Serah J Blain · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book with my boyfriend who had nostalgic memories of it from school, and it was one of the worst middle grades I've ever read. I would not encourage my son to read it. It centers around a teenage boy who discovers a rare butterfly in an old growth forest on property owned by the local mill. It's billed as a story of environmental activism. It was very dated. The strange cardboard machoism that creates the main family conflict feels very fake. The sexual obsession the main character has with his teacher was written in a way that felt incredibly sexist and dehumanizing. The story normalized abusiveness in the family and violence between teenagers. And the policy process for protecting the butterfly in question and the way the town and mill were engaged in that process were completely unrealistic. There was just nothing to like about this book. The only thing I enjoyed about reading it was making fun of it with my boyfriend.

[Mia Ridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I'm used to thinking of myself as kind of important, and the trees give me a different perspective.” pg2

“It was a silent, private place - the domain of very delicate and lovely creatures.” pg67

“But I couldn't seem to feel love for him. Sitting in the dark house, I wanted to very badly. I searched inside myself, but whatever it was that I was looking for didn't seem to be there. What was love in such a situation, anyway? Was it an ingot like a nugget of gold glowing in a dark mineshaft? Would I know it if I came across it, and could I seize it in my hand and hold it up to the light? Was it years and years of living with the same person, crystallized suddenly into the fear of losing him forever? If love was only the fear of loss, wasn't that kind of a pathetic little thing to go by such a grand name? Surely a son's love for his father should be a great and ongoing passion - a thing it didn't take the presence of death to summon out of hiding.” pg80

"Just be cause we're the smartest species on Earth, I don't see why we should assume the power to run the world. I see nature as a complex and beautiful web of life-forms that we have no right to tamper with.” pg114

[Daisuke Yamakawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is written from a view of a high schooler, who's good at long distance running. He's the youngest in the family. Main character expresses is jealousy towards his sisters and brother, because they are all successful, they all have wives and husbands, they all have jobs that makes money. All the jealousy comes because of his father, who expects the main character, his son to be as successful as his brothers and sisters. Main character develops his characters by running around the forest nearby his house, forgetting about all the negativities during the time.
Thing I liked about this book is that author gives us such detailed and complexed feelings that main character has, so it was easy to emphasize his feelings.

#HISReads
#Book-a-Week

[LeeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book. The setup was interesting.

But oof. This book was messy. The main character was just not likeable. Worse, the supporting characters - parents, siblings, teachers - none of them acted believably. I couldn't find anything sympathetic about any of them.

The main character just does whatever he wants, for no clear reason, without any real-world consequences. And don't get me started on the teacher-student relationships.

In the end, this felt like an old-timey melodrama (and not in a feel-good way).

This could have been a great story about environmentalism and coming of age, with focus on getting through the illness/death of a parent. It was none of those things.

[Aden Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

John is a relatable character. He is like many of us. He is afraid of what the future holds. He resents his parents, especially his dad. He is passionate about running and saving nature. I want to be like John. He is inspirational. I really liked the book. It was easy to read and it was short. But, it was thoughtful and touching. There were parts that made me cry, which I didn’t really like, but it made me think. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a really thoughtful story. The author, David Klass, really has a way with words and makes strong points with just a few words.

[McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.
This was a surprising little book. I actually liked it a lot. Despite being published in the early '90s, it felt very modern and timeless. I think this book did a good job of showing both sides of the argument. Another thing I liked about this book was that it didn't have a super huge family-reunion moment at the end. John and his father acknowledged that they had a poor relationship and kind of left it at that. I felt like that was more realistic than a "kumbaya" ending where they suddenly push past their differences and love each other dearly. Sometimes you just don't get along with family and they presented it realistically.

[KIRBY · Rating 5 out of 5]

California Blue takes place in a town of(what I think) perfection. The perfect school, the perfect job(literally everyone works to cut down trees), and for most people, the perfect life with absolutely no disturbance. But when Johns father gets cancer, his world is no longer one of the ordinary. Especially when he finds a butterfly that has never been identified before. With the help of a sketchy expert and his high school teacher/crush, he must navigate the unexplored ocean of blazing his own trail that leads to eventually becoming a hero to the California Blue Butterfly. The book follows this question every teenager wonders: can John add up to what his father deems is worthy, or will he fall short of importance?

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great exploration of endangered species. This eco-fiction title should be read by every member of the House GOP before they do further damage to the Endangered Species Act.

A wonderful opportunity for middle grade readers to develop critical thinking skills!

Topics: biodiversity, endangered species, habitat, logging, old growth forests, butterflies

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended by a colleague -- beautifully written but very emotional. The experience of a boy who doesn't quite fit into his athletic family rings true -- but be warned of a long history of emotional (and occasionally physical) abuse. The novel was set in a forestry town in Northern California; the big redwoods could be described as protagonists in the narrative.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great little YA novel. Teenager finds a new species of butterfly, deals with his dying father, has a crush on his high school biology teacher and makes the whole town mad.... what else could go wrong?

[Gabrielle Brihn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was overall an OK book; I liked the plot and the characters, especially the dad. I did not like the ending, though, I felt it could have been better; it felt kind of "rushed".

[Amy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about a high school boy who struggles to belong with his family and classmates. Learns something about himself and his father as he struggles through his journey.

[Saf · Rating 3 out of 5]

the ending felt fast to me. I wish I felt the way he did about running. made me think of my dad and his dad

[Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting but he also starts making out w his teacher and it's sus

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description of nature, what it feels like running long distance and at a sprint were refreshing and transported me to a different time period and space. A nice little getaway read.

[Jill Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book

[Fluffy Mochi · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was Ok

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably shouldn’t even be reviewing this book because I don’t remember anything from it. I was required to read this book in either Grade 5 English class or Grade 6.

I remember the main character did a lot of running and his relationship with his father may not have been so good. But when I first read is as a 10 or 11 year old, I recall feeling really strange because the main boy was a teenager. He felt so much older than me and it made me feel weird to read the book.

I remember liking the book but finding it a bit boring. Because I think it’s one of those child books written by an adult using a teen to send a woke message.

[Emily Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Rodgers is just trying to fit in. A typical seventeen year old, John has enough on his plate balancing school, track, a tense relationship with his dad, and navigating the ever-confusing world of girls. In a town where logging is the center of life, John doesn’t see the local forest quite like anyone else. His love of science and nature, not understood by his father, has him see beauty and diversity where other people see only dollar signs. When the shocking news of his dad’s cancer comes to light, it is in the tall trees that John goes to escape and find peace, but what he finds instead could change his life and the fate of his town forever. What’s a boy to do when science, the thing he loves the most, threatens the livelihood of people he loves the most?

David Klass’ California Blue is a juvenile fiction book which weaves together environmental science, industry, and social issues to develop a beautiful story line relatable to readers of all ages and ability. California Blue reaches across disciplines, tying science with politics to spark conversation about environmental protection and its effect on places and people. All the while, Klass builds a multidimensional main character who tugs at the reader’s heartstrings as an ‘everyman.’ John, the protagonist, is every bit a believable high schooler just trying to make his way through the awkward, challenging stretch that is being a teenager. The storyline and the characters feel genuine and readers can connect with John’s struggle. California Blue humanizes all sides of the environment vs industry debate, leaving room for readers to form their own opinions. Klass never defines a black and white ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side of the argument, but tries to provide an in depth look at the gray area which feels much more akin to reality.

It is the balance that Klass strikes between eloquent storytelling and the interweaving of accurate scientific and political processes that makes California Blue an excellent edition to science curriculum. The story is written in manageable chapters and the writing is age appropriate for grades 8 and up. Moreover, the storyline sparks conversation about family, the environment, and political action. Every student can find a little piece of themselves in the protagonist, which allows them to grapple with how they would respond in his shoes. This opens the door for an authentic multi-sided discourse, allowing students to explore their roles as members of a global community while developing critical thinking and discipline literacy.

Klass’ content also allows for interdisciplinary curriculum planning and applicability to local environmental issues. California Blue can serve as a classroom catalyst by engaging students in the practical applications of science and politics. It reminds learners of the ‘why should I care?’ by allowing them to build the connections between learning and life. This can serve as a backdrop for integrating cultural relevant and constructivist pedagogy into the high school science classroom.

[Deborah Lan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in within a small town and in the eyes of the main character, John Rodgers, who is a middle school student. Within the first few chapters of the book, we develop an understanding of the uneasy relationship between John and his father. As the youngest of the family, and with an affinity for science and track (rather than girls and football), John has always been regarded as the black sheep of the family. In the town where John grew up, the primary source of jobs is a local lumbar mill—the one that his father has worked at for over thirty years. His entire world is turned upside down when he comes across an unfamiliar butterfly while jogging out on mill property. John is forced to find his identity by either fighting for the butterfly and opposing the viewpoints of the entire town (including his father) or fighting to keep the mill at the expense of the new species of butterfly.
Assessment
I had chosen this book as an outside reading book to supplement lessons for a Kindergarten classroom. In that respect, this book was an extremely strong selection. It ties in many aspects that elementary students would be able to connect with. Themes include development of personal identity, networks of species, global changes in communities and habitats, and conflicts within the family. The book is written from the perspective of John, which allows a first person perspective of what is going on through John’s head as he considers all these different themes in the book and grapples to reconcile the identity that he most easily relates to and the identity constructed by his father, given to him. There is a variety of content that can be seen through this context. From butterfly life cycle to greater environmental impacts resulting from logging, this book provides an introduction to spark interest for greater discussion on heavier topics. Beyond content, there are also student skills that can be paralleled using the book. For example, when John first spots the butterfly, he goes through procedures in an attempt to identify the butterfly. This could be done in a middle school classroom as an explorative activity. Students can write down the procedure John used and adapt it to their own lab. This teaches exploration into the scientific method as well as skills in exploration.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this is one of my all-time favorite books, I am saddened to see it’s no longer in print. I first read it back in high school and have re-read it countless times since. It’s the story of a science-minded teenage boy who discovers a previously unknown species of butterfly in a section of the forest slated for destruction. If he reports his findings, the butterfly and its habitat can be saved. Trouble is, he lives in a logging town—and his father is a logger.

California Blue is a perfect example of the best the YA genre has to offer—smart and thoughtful in a way that never talks down to its audience. Despite what popular culture often tells us, helping the environment is not just a matter of circulating a petition. Caring about issues larger than ourselves can be confusing and painful. Sometimes it’s hard to know what, exactly, is “the right thing.”

This book has always had a special resonance with me because it describes a young person’s struggles in hostile surroundings. As a longtime vegetarian animal advocate smack-dab in deer hunting country, I know what that’s all about.

Truly a special book.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

California Blue is intended for a young-adult audience. This was evidenced by the fact that a 17-year-old student is in love with his 23-year-old science teacher. The main character is involved in underaged drinking with friends and is offered a Coke and rum by his teacher. He also spends some time with a group smoking pot. Cursing is common throughout the book and problems are often settled with fists. The main character solves one issue by running away from home.

The crux of the story is that Roger must decide whether to protect a previously undiscovered butterfly or whether to defend the logging industry upon which his family and the whole community depend. Another theme is the strained relationship between Roger and his father who has recently been diagnosed with leukemia.

This book was recommended to me by a student who said that he really enjoyed it. Now, that I have read it, I am curious about what aspects of the book he enjoyed. The author, David Klass, is good in engaging the reader in the story. It's a quick read with 199 pages. Some of the content is better suited for an audience that is older than junior high school.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this 2 stars because the premise, when you could find it through all the other extraneous plot junk, was interesting. I wish this could have been a book more about the conflict of finding a new species of butterfly in a logging town and less about everything else the author thought necessary to throw in (i.e. lengthy explanations of main character as outcast in his family, subtleties of running track, attempted romantic involvement with biology teacher, said biology teacher blithely offering alcohol in her apartment to a 17 year old student without repercussion... ugh.)

I also had some external problems with the book, which aren't exactly the author's fault (at least directly); it was chosen as a book club selection for Maddie's book club at school (4th-6th grade) and I was uncomfortable throughout the entire book reading it through that filter. It's not that I'm anti-difficult/complex subject matter, but the author's way of delivering it in this case is inappropriate for this age group. Luckily it's a great book club and I'm looking forward to the discussion with them despite my misgivings about the plot lines.

[Kelly Chik]

The book California Blue by David Klass is a realistic fiction novel, which tells the story of a young man named John Rodgers. John Rodgers, in his teens, is tackling all these big environmental issues as well as his own social challenges. This story takes place in a small lumber town of Kiowa, California. John Rodgers gets so caught up in his discoveries that he forgets his priorities. I enjoyed this book because the content and issues in this story is very much like what teenagers like me are going through. I can easily relate along with the story as I read. I would recommend this book to any young adult or teen, because the author does a good job of blending the two worlds of sports and science. It also shows the story of the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Each component plays a good balance in the plot. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5, although this was not my favorite book, it was still worth reading.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel takes a unique approach to the question of the environment versus jobs issue. The main character is a seventeen-year-old boy whose father is dying. He does not get along with his father because they are so different. On top of the stress at home, he finds a butterfly that turns out to be a new species. His discovery means that the lumber industry upon which his town is based may have to come to a grinding halt. He is beat up and hated and basically had to leave town, but during the chaos, he finally makes a connections with his dad in the moths before his death. While the treatment of the issues of jobs versus the environment is not complete, it does raise the question and gives it some sort of perspective. It would be a great recommendation for someone interested in science or environmentalism. ..and he may have sex with his teacher

[Katie Benz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was read to my class in grade school. By the best teacher ever. Mostly because she was always ranting and raving about how we should all be vegetarian gay rights activist tree huggers. I've read it a few times since - a 17 year old finds an endangered species of butterfly in the woods owned by the mill that employs everyone in the town, including his father. It's probably in the young adult category, but it's not dumbed down, just a very fast read. I cared more about a couple of the characters this time than previous times reading it. This book belongs on required reading lists for junior high and freshmen.

[Aoife Ersoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"California Blue" by David Klass is about a seventeen year old boy,John Rodgers, who lives in Kiowa, California. He's the black sheep of the family, just an average boy in a house full of athletes & successful people. He's tall & awkward & doesn't have much interest in sports other than track & field. His biggest interest is in insects, more specifically, butterflies & moths. His life is turned upside down when he finds a peculiar butterfly that he can't classify. I liked this book because it shows how you have to fight for what you believe in & learn to stand up for yourself & forgive people who've hurt you.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really cool so far. It seems like a book Ms. Rhone would love. This dude, John has two older sisters where high school cheerleaders. His two older brothers were football champs. He runs track. He's pretty sure he was an accidental kid. He soon discovers that his dad that holds his HS record for most yards ran in football has been diagnosed with cancer. John runs through these really cool redwood forests to get away from it all. I love this book so far, its actually super cool.