48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls

Earls, N. (2004). 48 Shades of Brown. CA: Graphia. ISBN: 0618452958

Plot Summary

  Fifteen year old Dan Brancrof makes the decision to live with his aunt in Australia after his dad moves to Geneva. His aunt is only 22 and plays bass in a band and she lives with an attractive college student named Naomi. Almost immediately, Dan develops a crush on Naomi and tries to impress her by naming all the scientific names for birds and the different shades of brown. 

  

Critical Evaluation

  I remember this book when it first came out, and I just had to write about it. Dan is a comical character, who acts like any love sick teen. Dan has a comical outlook on life which is contagious to his readers. I remember reading this book because it reminded me of an up to date Catcher in the Rye. Although the story is a little slow, it makes sense, and it is a gentle read. I found myself comparing Dan to new characters like Scott Pilgrim and their fight for love. 

Readers Annotation

  What would you do for love?

Information about the Author

  Nick was born in Newtownards, Northern Ireland and he emigrated to Australia at the age of nine. He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Queensland and he worked as a general practitioner before becoming a writer

  This book won him the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of Year Award in 2000. Some of his adult books have been adapted into screenplays. 

Genre

  Fiction: Romance

Curriculum Ideas

  n/a

  

Booktalking Ideas

  - What have you done to impress a girl?

  - Do you think living with a 22 year old is ok for a teen?

   - Compare this book to Catcher in the Rye.

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

   I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  This is one of those books you always remember. I wanted to re read a book that I read when I was a young adult and compare it to the YA books now.