Being Henry David

by Cal Armistead Narrated by Ed Churchill

Overview

Seventeen-year-old “Hank” has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything -who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David-or “Hank” and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of-Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. The only way Hank can discover his present is to face up to the realities of his grievous memories. He must come to terms with the tragedy of his past, to stop running, and to find his way home.

Cover used with permission of Albert Whitman & Company. Design by Nick Tiemersma. Cover images courtesy of Veer. 

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Best Teen Books of 2013, Kirkus Reviews
2014 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
The Best Children's Books of the Year 2014, Bank Street College

STARRED REVIEW! "This compelling, suspenseful debut, a tough-love riff on guilt, forgiveness and redemption, asks hard questions to which there are no easy answers."—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"Introspective high schoolers will appreciate this engimatic coming-of-age story."—School Library Journal

"Think James Dashner's Maze Runner series meets High School Musical: an engaging and unique book."—Booklist

"Hank's personal tragedies are touching, as are his interactions with everyone from street kids Jack and Nessa to the more sedate citizens of Concord. His quests for answers and redemption should easily engage readers."—Publishers Weekly

"Cal Armistead's story of Hank is not only an English teacher's dream...it's also a clever look at identity and who we are without our baggage."—The Boston Globe

"Believable and nicely crafted, this story has much to recommend it. Pacing and suspense are just right as the mystery of Hank's identity begins to unravel and he faces the terrible event that stole his memory."—VOYA

"Even those with little interest in Thoreau will find this a solid psychological mystery about a teen who's made a mistake that he can't keep running from."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The combination of mystery, romance and examination of self is one readers will embrace."—ALAN

Kirkus Reviews

When Hank wakes up in Penn Station, the only clue to his identity is the book he's clutching, Walden, so he adopts Henry David Thoreau's name and iconic work to guide him on his journey to self-discovery. After a stabbing ends his brief stint as a homeless teen, Hank flees to Walden Pond, where he meets Thomas, a gentle park docent, and bonds with a girl, gifted singer Hailey. His festering knife wound forces him to confide in Thomas and accept help, but Hank's pleasant discoveries (he's good-looking, a runner and a musician) are overshadowed by returning memories that evoke dread and shame. What's driven him, Hank realizes, is desperation to escape his past, not to recover it. Accepting and moving on is hard for Hailey, too; she is afraid to enter a band competition since her last experience ended badly. Thomas, who's made peace with his own closet skeletons, mentors Hank but can't spare him the tough choice: whether to keep running or face the music. Hank earns sympathy and respect from readers, but Armistead doesn't let him off easy. Rescue is not an option, but Thoreau's spare words, focusing on what truly matters, lighten the darkness. This compelling, suspenseful debut, a tough-love riff on guilt, forgiveness and redemption, asks hard questions to which there are no easy answers. (Fiction. 13 & up)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178889534
Publisher:	Old Stoney Brook Publishing
Publication date:	05/27/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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