Vigilante Poets

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014, 323 pages.

Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 15 – 18
Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15 – 18)

Selwyn Academy is facing a serious threat. Conversations at this art-focused Minnesota high school used to revolve around “people debating the merits of Aida versus Rigoletto… But now? The subject of every conversation was reality TV.” The reason? Because a reality TV show has descended upon Selwyn.

To Ethan Andrezejczak, narrator of this story, there is little that can be done. His friend Luke has a different opinion and has soon convinced his band of friends that something must be done. Add an idea from literature class and the Contracantos are born, inspired by Ezra Pound and the power of long poetic verse.

A former high school teacher, Kate Hattemer captures the many moods of teenagers: the angst, the goofiness, the insecurity. In a culture that encourages darkness in young adult fiction, she weaves a humorous tale. There is no faith, yet also very little profanity. There is no sex though there is some sensuality. Ethan, as a teenage boy, is quite aware of girls. Also, one of the girls on the reality show risks her reputation by playing up romantic angles in a desperate bid to win. There is language which, given the high school environment, is sadly to be expected, yet the language is not gratuitous. Indeed, it is far too clever to be gratuitous, which in itself might be a danger!

I loved the narration and the lack of politically correct themes. This is a fun story for the sake of story; it doesn’t seem to be pushing an agenda. High schoolers, particularly those with a creative bent, who are mature enough to handle the language and romantic issues are likely to enjoy this story.

Literary Value: 4
Worldview Value : 3

Cautions: sexuality (protagonist has crush; girl compromises reputation), profanity/bad language (occasional profanity, mild cursing), vulgarity (protagonist resents a student’s masculinity), worldview issues (no faith mentioned)
Recommended use: entertainment
Audience: boys, girls, teen readers
Topical categories: fiction, humor, school