Saint Iggy by K. L. Going

Bibliographic Information:

Going, K. L. (2006). Saint Iggy. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN# 0152057951

Plot Summary:
Iggy lives in the New York projects with his father, a drug addict and alcoholic, and his mother, a meth addict who is currently missing again. For the third time Iggy in the ninth grade, although chronologically he should be a junior. He finds learning difficult and feels misunderstood. Having been kicked out of high school several times, he has a reputation as a trouble maker. When he back talks a teacher, who feels that he was threatening her, he is expelled permanently pending a hearing. Iggy reads about someone saving a child and decides that he needs to change others’ opinions of him. Not being able to consult either of his parents, he turns to his friend and former mentor Mo. Mo comes from a rich family and was attending law school until pot got the better of him. Declaring himself free from material possessions, he lives in a small, apartment in the projects focusing his energies on Eastern religions and smoking pot. Mo gets involved with Iggy’s parents’ drug dealer and now owes this violent man money. Together Iggy and Mo go to Mo’s mother’s home to weasel money out of her. Mo’s mother turns out to be the parental figure that Iggy has wanted/needed. Unfortunately, she won’t give Mo money toward his drug habit which leaves Mo at the mercy of the drug dealer. Iggy feels responsible and wants to protect Mo as best he can.

Critical Evaluation:
This book will be with you long after you finish reading it. Going makes Iggy’s gritty world very real and believable. You feel sorry for Iggy at the same time that you are rooting for him to somehow, some way find his way out of his sorry situation. Unfortunately, too many teens have firsthand experience of aspects of Iggy’s life. This book can help them know that they are not alone in their situation. In addition, teens will see that even if one is born into wealth, as Mo was, that is no guarantee of success. The book teaches the downfall of getting involved in drugs from the physical addiction to the money, from the seedy environments to the violent people involved in dealing. It does this without being didactic or moralizing. As the story progresses the reader gets a better understanding of Iggy and his personality. We follow his thought processes and his imaginings of how life could be better. Going brings the reader into Iggy’s world and even into Iggy’s head. Her writing leaves the reader shocked while at the same time creating a sense of compassion for this troubled boy from a bad situation.

Reader's Annotation:
Iggy, a 16 year old who is repeating 9th grade for the third time, lives in the projects of NY with is drug-addict, alcoholic father and his meth-addicted, currently absent mother. Trouble ensues when, after getting kicked out of school, again, Iggy, with his pot-head friend/former mentor Mo, goes to Mo’s mother’s home to get money so that Mo can pay for the drugs he got from the violent drug dealer who sells to Iggy’s parents.

Information about the author:
Born in Rhinebeck, NY, K.L. Going “has worked as an adult literacy tutor, a ticket agent for an airline, a front desk clerk at a resort hotel … an assistant to two [literary] agents … and a manger of an independent bookstore.” Now she works full time writing at home. She is married, has a baby and a step-daughter. Going gets many of her ideas from her memories of high school where she felt out of place. She has written nine books and is in the early stages of another book.
http://klgoing.com/bio.htm
http://klgoing.com/words.htm

Genre: Realistic Fiction; Sociology

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Sociology

Booktalking Ideas:
• Why did the teacher think Iggy intended violence toward her and not give him a chance to explain?
• Compare Iggy’s home to Mo’s mother’s home.
• How can Iggy change his life?
• Is there any adults other than Mo to whom Iggy could go for assistance? If so, who? The police? Social Services? Teacher?
• What type of person is Iggy? What type of person is Mo?
• Are they good, bad or a combination? Explain what you think and why.
• Why is Iggy dubbed a “Saint” in the title?
• Does Iggy end up changing how others think about him? Why/why not?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 12 – 18, but due to the content I would recommend this book to older teens.

Challenge Issues:
Drug abuse; alcohol abuse; adult situations; neglect; gun violence

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Eight positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on eight Best Books Lists
• Appears on five state/provincial reading lists
• Has received two awards

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at:
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~cfbWkc:4
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~cfbWkc:3
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~cfbWkc:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.