My Name Is Mitch

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Mitch is the smallest kid in Grade 6. Though he can read perfectly well
at home where it’s quiet and there are no distractions, at school the
words on the page just won’t co-operate. Then there’s Philip, the
class bully, who teases Mitch unmercifully.

Home isn’t much better. Tiffany, his mom, was just 16 when Mitch was
born. A school dropout in a family of professionals, she ekes out a
living for herself and Mitch, dependent on her parents for a home and
for child care. Grandpa has never forgiven Tiffany, and treats her and
Mitch accordingly. Lacking confidence and self-esteem, life for Mitch
seems bleak.

But things can change, sometimes for the better. Fed up with Philip’s
bullying, Mitch teaches him a lesson once and for all in an incident
that wins Mitch the admiration and respect of his classmates. And as
they get to know him better, they come to appreciate his sense of
humour, artistic ability, and talent for writing poetry. As Mitch gains
acceptance, he develops confidence in himself.

On the home front, Tiffany announces plans to marry her long-time
boyfriend, Dan, and hints that they may even shop around for a house of
their own. Mitch secretly establishes a relationship with “The
Creep,” his biological father, Ryan Carroll. Once out in the open,
Ryan’s support, both emotional and financial, eases things for Mitch
and his mom. Even Grandpa seems to mellow.

Though the novel addresses serious issues, the author does so with a
light, often humorous, touch. Students in late junior and intermediate
grades will undoubtedly be able to relate to the characters and
situations portrayed in the story. The novel could be used in family
life classes with older students to stimulate discussion about the
repercussions of teenage pregnancy and dropping out of school.
Recommended.