Father Figure

by Richard Peck

After his mother dies, 17-year-old Jim realizes he must raise his younger brother, Byron, alone. But when their father shows up with plans to take them to Florida, Jim wonders if the reunion will last.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults. 

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Richard Peck was an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book lacked a lot of things...like character development. Most of the book was just skimming over scenes that occurred in the story. It never went into a lot of detail in almost anything.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written . . . Richard Peck cleverly turns phrases in this book to engage the reader and spin the story. I was very impressed with the style, although I do think the characters could have used some more depth - especially the younger brother.

I can't talk about the plot without revealing too many spoilers and ruining the suspense, but it's worth the read. It's a good window into a different time (late 1970s) and I like that the ending is not the perfect, happy ending, but awkward and bumpy like real life.

There's a lot of wisdom in this book - not so much from the father, but from the main character, Jim, as he navigates his world and experiences, and hears from the people around him and how they react to things. He processes life really, really well. He's very good a just letting things "be," which is a valuable life skill.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Conroy YA?!?! Is that a way to explain it? Maybe a little John Irving-ish…a pre-Richard Russo??? I can’t help but see the one stars are think people didn’t know what they were getting into. I read it because I was studying his Edward’s award. It isn’t his Newberry stuff…and maybe that was what people were expecting. I like it but I had already read Are You In the House alone so I wasn’t shocked.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was boring. Nothing really happened, I didn’t feel like I knew the characters at all. And the main character Jim is sexist, even going as far as sexually assaulting the waitress at the end by giving her a kiss on the mouth without her consent. I really didn’t like this book. I wouldn’t waste your time.

[Rebecca Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice slice of Peck doing his level best to talk to teens he met on his book tours. It dealing with suicide and broken homes. The hero isn't the grandmother this time, something Peck does a lot of in his later, more successful books. I like that it's not all happy endings. Peck was good at that part.

[Cat Rennolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teen/high school level story about coming of age. Enjoyable, believable, relatable. Some themes a bit mature for middle schoolers, but not x-rated.

[Izzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get that this is supposed to be a coming of age story & sort of uplifting by the end but I just cried & cried! :( Left me feeling bereft.

[William Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Jim Atwater loses his mother to a struggle with illness, he doesn’t show much sympathy, but instead he becomes incredibly protective of his younger brother. Jim has been a father to his brother for 8 years, since their parents divorce happened. But when their mother dies the two young boys are forced to live with their father, who is nothing more than a stranger to them and suddenly wants to be a part of their lives.

This book is interesting, it’s written very well and the characters are engaging. The story is kind of boring in parts, and that makes it difficult to get through. But overall it would maybe recommend it to someone looking for a read that focus on theme and engaging moments.

[Tom Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationships portrayed in 'Father Figure'; the cold and distant grandmother, the formally absent but currently well-meaning father, and the fragile but resilient younger brother will all resonate with young people who recognize their own family members in these characters. 'Father Figure' presents a difficult family situation and the family’s flawed members from the authentic perspective of a teenage boy also grappling with some of the everyday difficulties of being a teenager. The book is notable not just for Jim’s authentic perspective, but for the way it may inform the perspective and attitudes of its readers as they deal with the difficult situations and personalities in their lives.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unnderstanding parents is seldom an easy task for teenagers and Jim has had less success in that direction than many. His father left the family years ago and Jim has been the caretaker of his younger brother Byron since their mother became ill. They've been living under their grandmother's regime. Now, after their mother's suicide, the two boys have been sent to spend the summer with their father in Florida. Jim's anger is evident from the first moment the boys join their father. The battle is joined as Jim and his father fight for the affection and control of Byron.

[Fidel hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Father Figure by Richard Peck is a great book to read. It's about a two brothers who have to live with their father after their mom died. Their father hasn't really been in their lives and wants them to move to Florida with him. The oldest brother has concerns about moving since his father left them at a young age. Father Figure is a really interesting book, since many people can relate to the story line. Father Figure is interesting book because I can relate to the story line and has action too.

[Mary K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this from the library discard sale. I had only read Richard Peck's A Long Way from Chicago and appreciated his thoughtful story. I enjoyed Father Figure as a coming-of-age story of a boy who grew up by coming to know and accept his father as a father figure.

My copy has a sticker "Children's Favorites for 50 Years." I'm unsure what my reaction would have been as a teen. I expect I would have read the same words but a different story.

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Peck writes amazing Y/A fiction. I think this is probably second only to "Remembering the good times".

[Cws]

JAR4-Pec

[Eremite · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another 80's story with a teenage boy, a divorce and a suicide.