A coming-of-age novel

Mitchell, David. Black Swan Green.
Random House, 2006, 294p $13.95 978-0-8129-7401-0
Historical

Full of cultural references to historical events such as the Falkland War, pop culture icons, and slang of Britain in 1982, Mitchell enters the mind of a 13-year-old boy. Jason is a closet poet, bullied by his classmates, wonders about love and what is important in life. The growth of the character from beginning to end of the novel is tremendous, and the reader will feel that they have witnessed the process of becoming “adult” by traveling with Jason through his adolescence.
This book will appeal to adults who reflect on their own growing up as well as perceptive high school students. Jason meets a fascinating set of adults, from an elderly female recluse to a lady who critiques his poetry and serves as a mirror to Jason’s intimate thoughts. His schoolteachers are sometimes perceptive about growing boys’ minds and at other times clueless to the angst of teenage boys. Jason stammers when feeling inadequate which is often the case when he is around his classmates but realizes that he can control his stammering by being in control of events. The impending divorce that hovers at the edge of the plot finally becomes permanent at the end of the novel. Understanding his parents as adults frees him from being the “perfect” son. He even comes to a truce with his sister who calls him “Thing”. He experiences his first smoke, his first shoplifting incident, and first kiss with all the angst associated with each event. A strong look at secrets, ethics, and reputations reveal that not all is as it seems. Handwritten notes and newspaper headlines are interspersed within the text. Outstanding imagery and writing are found within its pages.
It is strongly recommended for high school libraries where coming-of-age novels are needed. The imagery used by Mitchell is a pleasure to read. Readers will avidly turn the pages to watch Jason turn from an insecure adolescent into a self-assured young man. LMN