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Assigned to write an autobiography, high-school senior Robert Radkovitz instead creates a sound portrait of his life as he remembers it. Looking back, he hears his mother's singing, his grandmother's mysteries, Mexican soap operas, Poe, poetry, and, most cherished, the voice of his absent father from a single tape of one of his radio shows. Told in a collage of voices, Seek describes Rob's search for his father, a search pursued not through San Francisco's streets, but through the labyrinth of the airwaves. Psychic readers, baseball announcers, pirate DJs, friends, and teachers join a rich, ringing aural autobiography that's as joyfully comic as it is compelling.
Assigned to write an autobiography, high-school senior Robert Radkovitz instead creates a sound portrait of his life as he remembers it. Looking back, he hears his mother's singing, his grandmother's mysteries, Mexican soap operas, Poe, poetry, and, most cherished, the voice of his absent father from a single tape of one of his radio shows. Told in a collage of voices, Seek describes Rob's search for his father, a search pursued not through San Francisco's streets, but through the labyrinth of the airwaves. Psychic readers, baseball announcers, pirate DJs, friends, and teachers join a rich, ringing aural autobiography that's as joyfully comic as it is compelling.
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
Due to publisher restrictions the library cannot purchase additional copies of this title, and we apologize if there is a long waiting list. Be sure to check for other copies, because there may be other editions available.
Paul Fleischman has written over 25 books for children and young adults. He received a Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise and a Newbery Honor for Graven Images. His most recent novel, Whirligig, was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist. He lives in Monterey, California.
Reviews-
Robert Radkovitz, the narrator and hero of SEEK, knows his father--a Cajun xylophonist and disc jockey--only through the taped radio program left in his crib. As a high school senior, Rob (Ben Fred) tells his life story, particularly his preteen years as a young radio enthusiast. Scouring the airwaves seeking his father's voice, Rob's younger years are portrayed beautifully by David Minick. This multicast production is a brilliant tapestry of sounds, weaving the sounds of Rob's mother singing, his grandfather's Marxist slogans, stray dialogue from Hispanic soap operas, an album of Louisiana bayou sound effects, and of course, the many sounds of radio. This is storytelling at its best. The program includes an interview with the author by children's book historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus. S.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2003 Audie Award Finalist, 2003 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
February 17, 2003 A high-school senior writes his autobiography (assigned for English class) in the form of a radio play and becomes conscious of the silence created by his absent father. "Readers will strongly detect the author's ear for language and appreciation for family history in this lyrical symphony of voices," wrote PW. Ages 12-up.
August 6, 2001 Readers will strongly detect Fleischman's (Joyful Noise; Bull Run) ear for language and appreciation for family history in this story of a teen's life, which emerges as a lyrical symphony of voices. High-school senior Rob, inspired by his fascination with radios, chooses to write his autobiography (assigned for English class) in the form of a radio play. The narrator presents a series of monologues and dialogues that capture the essence of those who have influenced him most: his trilingual mother, his history-professor grandfather, his storytelling grandmother, the aunts who helped raise him, and his school friends. However, Rob is most conscious of the silence created by his absent father ("Somehow, that missing voice seemed to outweigh all those that were present," he reflects). In an attempt to fill the empty space left by the man he's never met, Rob tunes into radio stations across the country and beyond to listen to announcers, one of whom might just be his DJ father. The novel—which combines elements of poetry, fiction, essay and drama—will be best appreciated in a readers' theater kind of setting; otherwise, it can take some time to get one's bearings, as the narrative moves between flashbacks and contemporaneous conversations. But those who stick with this lively cast of characters, revealed solely through dialogue, will be rewarded. Ages 12-up. (Sept.)FYI:An interview with Fleischman plus an excerpt from the book will be featured on NPR stations nationwide during their September pledge drive.
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Robert Radkovitz, the narrator and hero of SEEK, knows his father--a Cajun xylophonist and disc jockey--only through the taped radio program left in his crib. As a high school senior, Rob (Ben Fred) tells his life story, particularly his preteen years as a young radio enthusiast. Scouring the airwaves seeking his father's voice, Rob's younger years are portrayed beautifully by David Minick. This multicast production is a brilliant tapestry of sounds, weaving the sounds of Rob's mother singing, his grandfather's Marxist slogans, stray dialogue from Hispanic soap operas, an album of Louisiana bayou sound effects, and of course, the many sounds of radio. This is storytelling at its best. The program includes an interview with the author by children's book historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus. S.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2003 Audie Award Finalist, 2003 YALSA Selection (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
