Saint Iggy by K.L. Going

ISBN: 978-0-15-206248-4
Harcourt, Inc., Orlando, FL
2006
257 pages

Plot Summary

Iggy, an inner city teen from the projects, has just been suspended from high school. He has no one to turn to as both parents are drug addicts, and his slightly older "mentor," Mo, is also a druggie and more messed up than he is. Iggy wants to do something good in his life but his good intentions have disastrous consequences.

Critical Evaluation

The main character is both believable and yet not so believable. What I mean is that Iggy is a white inner city kid with no options - and I guess I'm saying that he would have been more believable if he'd had brown or black skin. And, even though he really is no saint, he still seems almost naive for a kid who has grown up in the projects. Other than that, he is a great heroic anti-hero and this would be an excellent book for reluctant readers.

Reader's Annotation

It's almost Christmas and Iggy has been suspended from school even though he's not a bad kid. What can he do to show everyone that he wants to do something great for the world?

Author Information

K.L. Going is also the author of the Printz Honor book, Fat Kid Rules the World.

Genre

Realistic YA fiction

Curriculum Ties

Could be on high school reading lists

Booktalking Ideas

1. Iggy sees Moe's home for the first time.

2. Moe's mother befriends Iggy.

Reading /Interest Level

The reading level could be younger but age 14 and up

Challenge Issues and Defense

Lots of drug use and a sexual situation

Realistic portrayal of inner city life

Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year, a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age,
ALA Best Book for Young Adults and other rave reviews

Why I Included This Book

It was recommended by the middle school librarian at our school and has received numerous awards.