The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter

Gosselink, John. The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter
Amulet see Abrams, Harry 2010 unp 14.95
978-0-8109-8977-1 ms Realistic Fiction E-BN
Thaddeus is confined to In-School-Suspension and defends how he was only trying to improve the school and help the principal. It is presented in the format of notes, discipline referrals, letters and evaluations. Thaddeus A. Ledbetter is placed in In-School-Suspension for the whole year due to an accumulation of incidents. He feels he is totally unjustly accused. In the form of discipline referrals, evaluations, letters and notes made each day during his isolation, he presents how he was only trying to improve the school and help people. Students will see how Thaddeus and the authority figures each viewed the incidents differently. Thaddeus repeatedly sends the principal notes on how to improve the school, all of which are ignored. His evidence is mostly circumstantial and has not been viewed in the light he intended. Students will immediately identify with the brilliant ideas of Thaddeus and how adults misinterpret his intentions. Interspersed are drawings and Fun Facts. The pages are made to look like notebook paper notes and forms.

This uncorrected proof is missing some illustrations, but it is still hilarious both for students and for their teachers who want to better understand the thinking of middle school age students. A hilarious read that will attract middle school students. Theal(1), Joan