What do You think about Don't Care High (1986)?
I have questions, but no answers. I wish I could have a conversation with Gordon Korman to sort some things out. I would ask him what's up with the principal in this book? Is that some kind of post-modern commentary on God? Is it a Greek chorus? Is it one of the other characters in disguise? Is it Otis? And what's up with Otis? Is he really an undercover government agent? Is he really an adult in disguise? Is he imaginary? Are Paul and Sherman the only people who can see him? Does he represent some kind of abstraction, such as apathy that must be exorcised, or privacy that is inevitably transgressed? And what about this Sherman guy? How much is he lying to others, and how much is he lying to himself? Does he know when he's lying? Is this book really about the way that your beliefs can cloud your perceptions; that when you tell a big enough lie it prevents you from perceiving the truth? Is this book meant to praise activism, or condemn the excesses of democracy? Is it suggesting that your identity only exists to the extent that it is perceived by others? Perhaps I'm over thinking it. That's what a day off work and too much coffee will do to a guy.
—Phil Jensen
Jonathan Beck ENG204Did you feel that the book fulfilled your expectations? Were you disappointed?‘Don’t care high’ fulfilled my expectations of having a good plot. I really enjoyed the fact that this book made me read on and on. Like when Paul (the main character) tried to sneak into Mike’s(his weird friend) house to see what it looked like, I was very interested because what if Paul was caught.Did you enjoy the book? Why ? Why not.?I did very much enjoy this book mostly because of the different themes and how clear they were to see. For example the theme of regret when Paul and his family had all chosen to move to New York. Paul really missed Saskatchewan and wished he was back living there.What about the plot? Did it pull you in; or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book?It did pull me in right about the time when Paul had to move to New York and go to a new school. Because I Knew there would be many events since he was starting at a new school. One main thing is that he had to make new friends, he eventually did he found Sheldon his new best friend the first day at school.How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place?If the book had taken place when Paul was older he would not have to go to this crazy school. So the events like Paul falling down the stairs with rollerblades on would not happen.Did the book end the way you expected?Yes it did because Mike seemed to be the one everyone loved because of him being school president. So it seemed that at the end he was going to leave(which happens in so many movies and books). So he just left and no one knew were he went.Would you recommend this book to other readers? To your close friends?Yes I would, because this was a very good book, I liked all the small mysteries and the action scene in the book like when there was a food fight in the gym, this would appeal to many of my friends.What was your favourite part/scene of the book?My favourite scene was when Mike stood in the hallway listening to the announcement saying that he was school president. This was my favourite scene because I think it was a turning in the book since Mike thought he had no chance at being president .Since at the time he did not have many friends.What was your least favourite scene/part of the book?It was probably when Paul’s school got disqualified from the science fair. I felt really bad for them since they put so much work into it.Everyone on a scale from 1-10 what would you give this book- what would have made this book better?I would give this book a 8 because it had many good themes such as regret and bravery and the book had a good plot. But I would have like the story to be longer since it ended suddenly.
—Douglaseng04
In a school where students are so unmotivated that their school is called "Don't Care High" comes Paul... a new student who's arrived with something almost unheard of: ambition. Struggling in the world of locker barons, principals who only care about announcements, and students and teachers who just don't care, Paul and his friend Sheldon set out on what is initially a prank but might do the seemingly impossible and bring school spirit back into Don't Care High. If you're bothered by unrealistic settings, don't read this- it is possibly the most exaggerated high school ever. This is, however, what made me love it. It was just a masterpiece of a high school experience. Yes, it's overdone, but that's what makes it funny. And in that respect, it succeeded wonderfully- I was laughing throughout. There were also suspenseful and sad parts.I was a little disappointed by the ending- I was hoping for more of an explanation of Mike Otis's background- but it fit his character. I just wish I understood him, as that felt lacking in the book. True, no one understands him, but he was just such an odd character that I really wanted to and that was a disappointment. There were a few other unresolved mysteries, such as the principal (who never once gets to appear in person), but other than some minor quibbles with the ending it was really a very good book throughout. It's aimed at younger audiences (or so I felt), so those of you who are used to my reviewing YA fiction be aware that although this is a very enjoyable book, and I don't think elementary school kids will be able to fully appreciate it, it's written at a younger level than I normally review. For those of you who enjoy this book, check out the rest of Gordan Korman's works.
—Fake Name
