Leaving Fletchville

by Rene Schmidt

Brandon is the biggest and toughest kid in his small-town school. He is feared as a bully, but he only pretends to be "dumb as a bag of hammers," so he can learn as much as possible about the people around him. When Leon, his sister Winnie, and their lively little brother Sam, arrive in Kingsville, they are the only black people in town. Everyone is curious about them—where they came from, what their parents do—but when Brandon discovers the truth about their situation, he decides to do what he can to protect them from harm.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

168 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. The author is so amazing. I love the book, if I could give it more than 5 stars I would!
I recommend this book to anyone that likes Realistic Fiction.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Brandon Clifford is big, good at fighting, disruptive in class and uninterested in schoolwork. As the book begins, he makes sure to cause a commotion just as the teacher is questioning Zach about his assignment. Why? Brandon knows that Zach will get a beating from his father if his homework isn’t done and Brandon is also observant and kind – something he tries to hide. Then Leon George’s family moves into Brandon’s apartment building and Leon joins Brandon’s Grade 8 class. As the only black family in the small town of Kingsville, Ontario, Leon and his younger siblings garner a certain amount of attention and Brandon sometimes finds himself standing up for Leon and the others. Brandon gets to know Leon better through the class project “Fletchville.” The math teacher Mr. Fletcher gives each student a job and a salary and asks them to imagine they are 25-year-olds living in Fletchville. Over several months, the students must figure out food budgets, find apartments and furnish them, decide on insurance and more. Brandon and Leon – working with low wages – join forces to share some of their expenses. Although Leon quickly and quietly sees Brandon’s hidden strengths, it takes a long time for anyone else to see them. Brandon, in turn, takes a while to figure out Leon’s secret – and it’s a big one. In the course of helping Leon and keeping the secret, Brandon relies on his hidden strengths and develops some surprising new ones. Author René Schmidt has written three non-fiction books; this is his first novel for young people and it’s a fine read. The plot unfolds episodically but smoothly – with both action and humour. While the story wraps up a bit too quickly, the real strength of the book is Brandon’s completely authentic voice. Schmidt never wavers from his protagonist’s viewpoint and, through his eyes, we observe Brandon’s town, Brandon’s new friends and the gradual development of a fine young man.

Reviewed by Gillian O'Reilly in Canadian Children's Book News
Spring 2009 VOL.32 NO.2

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you saw how many times Brandon was in the principal's office, you'd think he must be a really bad kid. But he's not. He is always trying to help people out - and if that means getting in trouble, no big deal. He is a very likable character and the book is a smooth and engaging read. I would definitely recommend this one to boys, especially the so-called "reluctant readers."

[Brayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leaving fletchville was a really interesting book because you never new were the book was going it was always a surprise. Leaving fletchville was probably one of the best books i read beside the strange gift of Gwendoline Golden. Fletchville was a very detailed book and i would definley recommend this book to anyone at anyage.

[Gabriel Chaim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaving Fletchville,by René Schimdt is a contemporary fiction book.This book is about a teenager called Brandon,he doesn't like to do the activities and has bad behavior.One day,when he was on the office because he did wrong things,he saw a new guy that was having a meeting with his parents and brothers to enter in the school but have one thing that changed a lot of things he was black.The only black person in the school.His name is Leon, a lot of people bully him with this guy and he brother and sister.Her sister were 12 years old and her brother 10 he was the older of the brothers.Brandon started watching the new kid and he discovers a lot of things like that he work on a grocery store and live in the same building as him,on one activity Brandon did a activity with Leon in the school and they become friends.


The book is very good but confusing in the start. I like it because it talks about good things like loyalty and racism.

[Fabrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

getting bit white saviour complex vibes

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Spoiler Alert***

Have you ever had to be the adult in your family? Well Brandons friend Leon has to take care of his sister and brother with no parents. The genre of this book is realistic fiction because it could have happend to some kids around the world. I liked this book personally and I dont know if you will but I will show you whats it is about in my book review.

The setting takes place in Brandons school and Brandons neighboor hood in Kingsville. So it all started one day when Brandon as usual went to the office because he always got in trouble that time of the day. He heard that Zach hasent been to school because his father always beat him so Zach stayed. Thats when a African American family came into the office there was the oldest Leon the second oldest Winnie and the last Sam. They are the only African American people in Kingsville. Brandon thinks Leons sister Winnie is cute. So then one day they had a project of how it will be living on there own with jobs and Brandon decided for the first time to do his work. The teacher was surprised so Leon and Brandon got together to do the project. Leon worked every day at the grocery store so Leon knew what to do. So one day Brandon noticed Leon was going somewhere else and found out Leon had been working so his sister Winnie can take Guitar Lessons without paying that much. One day Brandon and Leon were going to drop of Leon's brother Sam to his friends house. Then some kids passed by and called Sam a African American name. Leon got mad and began to fight with them both and then Brandon stepped in and helped Leon. When they finished they quickly went back and Sam started to cry because he wanted to go. Leon yelled at him but then said he can go tommorow. Then Leon broke down and said"I cant be the dad anymore" Brandon didnt get it at first but he then did. This part of the story makes me think how hard it must be for Leon. Leon tells Winnie that he had told Brandon. Winnie got mad because she thought Brandon might tell some one and they will get taken away by goverment. This creates Person vs Society because they are scared to be taken away and seperated by goverment. So one day Leon loses his job and Brandon starts working to help him and Winnie catches him at work. She thanks him by a kiss on his cheek. But something terrible happens. Leons family gets taken away! This part was also very sad because they were scared. But at last the goverment had let them go because Leon was responsible for them and also they all wanted to stay together. So they began to live together and the goverment helped them with money. They threw a party and everyone came and gave donations. So they lived happily and calm.

I liked the way the author wrote this book because its true that some kids take care of their brothers and sisters. I was moved by the part where the got taken away i was worried and wanted to read what happend next. My favorite part was when they go reunited together. The intresting thing i learned from this book is that kids work hard to keep their families together when they dont have parents. I can relate to the character Brandon because he likes to help people and i do to. Id compare this author to the mocking bird because they both deal with death and have problems.

I personally loved this book. On a scale from 1 to 10 i would give it 8 because it is that good its intresting and makes you wanna read more. I would recommend this to anyone. This book was good and if you read it hope you love it

[MsPescador · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick read (being that it was only 158 pages); however, it was a fantastic read. I really enjoyed getting to know the real Brandon. I knew at the beginning of the story that there was "going on" with Brandon than just the class clown. Although he puts on the act that he is the typical "always in trouble" student, I knew that there was more there. I think my suspicions about the "goodness" of Brandon's character was exposed when he checked in on a friend in need. I am not sure why Brandon put on the act but I am glad that in the end, everyone was able to see him for his true self and then he was able to see that he was not only a good person, but a smart one too. An excellent read. There is a sub theme of racism and classism within the backdrop of the story.

[E Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brandon is the class jokester, not caring what other people think of him. But that doesn't mean he's a bad kid. When a new family comes to town he watches like he always does. Eventually becoming friends with Leon, the new kid in his class.

A realistic fiction depicting middle school life that wraps up just a little too neatly for me to find it completely believable. For example, getting sent to the principals office repeatedly and not getting in an trouble at home. Running around whenever you want without you parents questioning where you go. Children working multiple jobs and going to school all day to survive on their own.

It was a cute story, well written, and kept me interested throughout. The implausibility of it threw me off a little, but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

[Ashley]

I thought the book was interesting and a great book for young adults. The main character, Brandon was the strongest and biggest kid in his school and was known as a bully. But when he meets Leon, Winnie and Sam, everything changes. Brandon doesnt care what race they are but decides to do the right thing and help Leons family stay together as a family.:)

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and great read. At first, one would assume Brandon is a bad kid, but you know what they say about assuming... Brandon is only interested in helping his friend, Leon, and Leon's sister and brother.

[Sarah O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool storyline. :)

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always a pretty much perfect read.

I love the character development, I love the plot development, I love the ending.

Quite a few laws are twisted here, but that's just how it had to be.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rene's book, nominated for Red Maple Award