The+Weirdo

"The Weirdo" Taylor, T. (1993). The weirdo. New York: Avon Books.

This story takes place in North Carolina in the Powhatan swamp. It is about a 17 year old boy who was sent to live with his father after he was in a tragic airplane accident that left his mother and sister dead and he terribly burned. He was given the name "The Weirdo" by the locals, because of his appearance, despite multiple surgeries he had undergone. Chip's life took a turn for the better when he met a University student who was researching the bear population in the Powhatan swamp. Chip finds purpose, passion and inner peace as he works with Tom (researcher) and the bears. The connection he builds with Tom and the bears is tested when Tom goes missing. Chip is introduced to Samantha who lives at the foot of the swamp. Samantha is a high school girl who can't wait to spread her wings and fly. She feels isolated from the world in her small little hunting town she grew up in. Samantha's father and the rest of the area are hunters by profession and sport. They are more than perturbed about a hunting moratorium that was instated in the Powhatan swamp. Chip and Samantha forge a great relationship based on politics, ethics and morals as they face off with the Government, the locals and the Powhatan swamp. This story will pull at your heart strings as you watch young love unravel, it will keep you in suspense as you try to solve a murder mystery and will question your own ethical and moral compass when presented with forceful opposition.

I would recommend this book, however I think the chronological order of the chapters may be a bit difficult to follow for a middle school student.


 * Science**- Study animal habitats, food chain among the animals and connecting animals to the different types of wetlands.


 * Language Arts**- Write an essay from the point of view of the bear being hunted. Write an obituary for the University researcher.


 * Social Studies**- Debate the positive and negative effects of hunting and endangered species. The effect of government studies on animals and population.


 * Math**- Do a Population study, by graphing the population of bears from the region.


 * Art**- Research an animal or tree from the novel and create some artist representation of their choice.