Haddix, Margaret Peterson. (1996). Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN: 9780689871023
Plot Summary: No one really knows what’s going on in Tish Bonner’s life and she is okay with that. She is happy to just shop with her friends, Chastity, Sandy and Rochelle, work at the Burger Boy after school and get a “C” average in school. But when she is required to keep a private journal for Mrs. Dumphrey’s English class, we soon learn that her life is not so easy. Her entries move from smart-alecky and superficial, into gut-wrenching confessions about her abusive father, troubled mother and the sexual harassment she receives from a manager at work. Tish’s life is out of control as she struggles to hide her family shame from everyone and protect her fearful younger brother, Matt. In the end, she finally allows Mrs. Dunphrey to read her journal entries as a plea for help and the opportunity for a better life.
Critical Evaluation: As a thin paperback book and a typical YA book cover design, it’s easy to think that this book would just be a fun teen read. But surprisingly, our witnessing of Tish’s ordeal from a simple, neglected teen into a strong, intelligent young woman who has to overcome challenges that threaten everything important to her is touching, sad and then empowering. As readers, we can see how dysfunctional her family life is and can only hope she finds the courage to cope. As an intelligent and resourceful girl, it becomes clear why she gets bad grades. It’s because her life outside of school is all consuming and is filled with real crises that must be immediately be attended to. She says, “Things are so bad, I feel like I'm going to explode if I don't do something...” Also, we see how difficult it must be for her to parent her confused brother when she is still a child herself. We understand how frustrating, frightening and angering her life becomes and how she must cling to the good memories of a grandmother who passed away. Furthermore, her experiences have taught her not to trust men, for they haven’t been a positive role model in her life. By the end, we admire her strength of character and are relieved to see her begin a new life filled with love, stability and hope.
Reader’s Annotation: Do you have a secret that no one else in school knows about? Is it just a little thing that maybe people would laugh at? Or is it a secret like Tish Bonner’s that must never be told or else they might take away your home, your money and your little brother? Find out why Tish never, ever lets her English teacher, Mrs. Dumphrey, read her journal entries, even if she feels the need to keep writing and writing…
Information About the Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix was born in a small town in Ohio. She says everyone she knew during childhood had traditional occupations, like nursing or farming. Though her family contained many writers, it took her years to acknowledge her dream of becoming an author. She attended Miami University (of Ohio) and majored in Journalism, Creative Writing and History. After many years of working as a reporter for newspapers in North Carolina and Indiana, she was able to devote all of her time to her fictional works. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and two teenage children. She has written over 20 books for children and young adults. Awards and recognitions she has received include: ALA’s 1997 Best Books for Young Adults, ALA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Iowa Teen Award Nominee (1999-2000) and the IRA’s Children’s Book Award.
Genre:
Teen Issues: Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Physical and Emotional Abuse, Homelessness and Foster Living
Adventure: Survival
Alternative Formats: Diaries and Journals, Epistolary Novels
Curriculum Ties: English class, Social Studies class, Psychology class, Book Clubs, Recommendations for Reluctant Readers
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) What to do if experiencing child neglect and/or domestic violence
2.) How younger children admire and depend upon teen siblings
3.) Why sexual harassment at work is wrong
4.) How to handle unexpected responsibilities
5.) How life experiences (good and bad) shape our world view
6.) Why positive role models (like grandparents) can help us in the future
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9-12
Challenge Issues/Defenses:
Potential Challenges:
• Inappropriate for age
• Depictions of domestic violence,
• Depictions of sexual harassment
• Character portrayal of mental illness
• References to teen sexuality
Defense Strategy:
• Provide statistics regarding the reality of these key issues:
Date rape: http://www.your-personal-and-home-security.com/date-rape-statistics.html
Teen Sex: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_ATSRH.html
Teen Eating Disorders: http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm#eatingdisorders
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Refer to book reviews and awards earned by this book: http://www.carolynmackler.com/The-Earth-My-Butt-and-Other-Big-Round-Things-by-Carolyn-Mackler.asp?id=praise and http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dont-You-Dare-Read-This-Mrs-Dunphrey/Margaret-Peterson-Haddix/e/9780689871023
• Provide guidelines book clubs have used to address issues: http://www.teenreads.com/guides/earth_my_butt1.asp
• Refer to book reviews submitted by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dont-You-Dare-Read-This-Mrs-Dunphrey/Margaret-Peterson-Haddix/e/9780689871023
Why This Book Was Included: This book used a diary format which made it easy to read. It's fast-paced, though progressively filled with more and more thought-provoking details. It has a catchy title and a typical teen cover photo, but that belies a deeper level of content that portrays domestic violence, mental illness, child abandonment and feelings of powerlessness by adolescents. The main character's painful journey and uncommon bravery is something teens will understand and from which they can learn important life-saving lessons. The process of reading this book is much like peeling away the layers of an onion. We see the true Tish become apparent over time.
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