In Slot Machine, Chris Lynch looks at one month in the life of Elvin Bishop, a slightly overweight yet amusingly clever adolescent, as he attends a three-week “camp” designed to ease the transition into high school. Elvin quickly realizes, however, that this “camp” is really just a systematic method to find each incoming boy’s athletic “slot” for high school. While his two best friends, Mikie and Frankie, seem to thrive in the new environment, Elvin, with little athletic ability and a slightly cynical view of the entire situation, spends his time desperately trying to determine where he belongs. Jumping from “slot” to “slot,” Elvin ultimately ends up in the most absurd, unexpected place of them all – the art sector. While he is resistant at first, it is here where Elvin truly feels like himself and relates to those around him.
Lynch’s insightful treatment of prevalent teenage issues, especially those of body image and trying to “fit in,” set against his entertaining and intriguing storyline, ultimately encourages an adolescent reader to consider and begin formulating an answer to the age-old question of “Who am I?” As Elvin grows, learns, and emerges from camp just a little bit more mature than when he entered, readers alike are encouraged to stay true to who they are, to discover new aspects of themselves, and to embrace change and discovery. The writing is hysterically entertaining, the storyline is strong, and the message is clear; Lynch’s story is a worthwhile read.
2 comments:
Alex, I think you gave a very good description of what happens to Elvin. And you are right, this is an identity book.
The humor is well paced and the letters that Elvin Bishop writes to his Mother are hilarious.
There is a bit of darkness in this book concerning the head of the retreet, Brother Jackson, and the popular friend who bows to peer pressure. The darkness is not nearly as heavy as Chocolate Wars.
Overall, this is a good and fun read. I laughed many times while reading.
An amazing ride: Every page full of wit and humor, every paragraph brimming over with the wisdom of a no good, too fat, mamma’s boy.
An initial reaction: “No! Elvin can’t find a home! This stupid slot system can’t work! I don’t want Elvin to hunker down into some little cave and limit himself to wrestling or the production of strict iambic prose. I want to watch Elvin become a complete person, a person who embraces multiple “slots” in life, a unique individual unwilling to let his boundless enthusiasm and endless supply of searing wit smolder in some dilapidated library.”
A few thoughts following the completion of the book: Thank you, Chris Lynch. Thank you so much. Thank you for supplying a clear message of unclarity: Life ain’t easy; life ain’t simple. Quit trying to boil life into fifteen odd slots. Embrace the journey. Today, we walk around with a copy of Winesburg, Ohio, stuffed in our back pocket; tomorrow—well, who the heck knows about tomorrow.
*Additional kudos to Alex. A bright and sunny review for a shining example of brilliant young adult fiction.
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