This book was second in my S.E. Hinton obsession and while it took me a long time to 'get it' since I was very young when I read it for the first time, it's one of my all time favorites.

The brotherly admiration Rusty James has for The Motorcycle Boy is misguided but sweet. He believes in his brother even when his brother doesn't believe in himself.

He's nostalgic for things he only thinks he remembers and tries so hard to be something ... anything ... to make his brother notice him.

It's a quick read but totally worth reading. ( )

Motherless, with a drunken father, and a brother who is always on the run, Rusty James' future looks pretty bleak. For now, however, he is the king of the hill. His brother built up a reputation as the toughest, baddest, and most indifferent fellow to ever walk his streets. With few role models to look up to, Rusty James does everything in his power to emulate Motorcycle Boy.

Despite being able to take a knife to the side, drink like there is no tomorrow, and get with any girl he wants, Rusty James just cannot be his brother. His brother is in a league of his own. He is apathetic to the world. He sees in black and white and hears nothing. After a series of tragic events culminating in Motorcycle Boy's unnecessary death, Rusty James' wish finally comes true. He has become Motorcycle Boy. When all is said and done, though, and the scar tissue has formed, Rusty James is unhappy. Yes, he has become his brother. But in doing so, he has become a ghost. ( )

Rusty James wants to be exactly like his older brother, Motorcycle Boy. So, Rusty tries to make himself as tough and cool as his brother. In doing so, Rusty gets into fights and is kicked out of school. What Rusty does not realize, is that becoming like his brother could be a big mistake. Rumble Fish is another winner from S.E. Hinton. Rusty James does not have the innocence or insights of Pony Boy, but he is still a fascinating character that reader's will feel for. The plot revolves around Rusty's relationship with his brother and Rusty's attempts to be like Motorcycle Boy. The setting is the urban city during the 1970s. There are a few elements which are outdated, but I do not think that this should be necessarily classified as historical fiction. There is a sense of tragedy and remorse to the story because Rusty does not realize that in wanting to be like his brother, Rusty is ruining his life. The book begins with a short chapter of Rusty in the future and then it is a flashback to when Rusty was 14. This book is a page turner and should appeal to both middle and high school readers. Recommended. ( )

6.0

Brandon Warburton
Book Review-Rumble Fish
EDCI 4120/5120
Dr. Leslie Rush

Hiton, S.E. (1975). Rumble fish. New York: Bantam Books.

Grade Levels: 9-12
Category: Realistic Fiction

Read Alouds: pp. 29-30 (The Motorcycle Kid takes care of Rusty-James’s knife wound by pouring wine into it.) pp. 118-119 (The Motorcycle Kid is gunned down by police after freeing all of the animals from the pet store.) pp. 85-88 (Rusty-James and Steve are mugged in an alley after a drunken night on the town.)

Summary: Rumble Fish tells the story of Rusty-James, a high school tough guy who idolizes his big brother, The Motorcycle Kid. Rusty-James is always focused on maintaining his rep, and reliving the old days of the local gang brawls. But he lives in a different time. A time when heroine has sucked the lifeblood out of his neighborhood leaving behind only the far off memories that he longs to make real again.

Themes: This novel takes a close look at the affect peer pressure and expectations have on teens. Rusty-James idolizes his big brother. This is a common trait for many teens who often look up to those who are older. This novel exploits the dangers of idolizing people who may appear to be “cool” and exciting, but who are in reality providing a very ugly example of how to live. Rumble Fish also looks at the effects an unstable family life can have on teen behavior. Rusty-James’s father is an alcoholic with no control over his two sons. The novel exemplifies how a lack of structure in the family setting sets a precedent for a lack of structure in a teen’s life at school and on the streets.

Discussion Questions:

Upon his brother’s death in the final pages of the novel, do you believe Rusty-James viewed it as a brutal omen of his future, or perhaps an opportunity to finally break free of his brother’s shadow and emerge an individual?

Let’s recall the contrast between the bright lights on the other side of the river, and the dark streets of Rusty-James’s neighborhood. Why do you think Hinton chose to make the other side of the river the setting for Rusty-James’s assault?

Rusty-James is always idolizing his big brother the Motorcycle Kid? Do you believe that The Motorcycle Kid is worthy of being idolized? If so, what traits make him so admirable?

Reader Response:

I thought Rumble Fish was an awesome read. I felt that Hinton established a very Salinger like tone that kept the novel moving at a very frenetic and emotional pace. I was amazed to later find that Hinton was female, because she wrote such life-like and powerful male characters. I figured this out after reading her interview at the end of The Outsiders. I found this novel to be one of my very favorites. The cool and rebellious world to Rusty-James and his gang had me longing to be wild and rebellious like them. It was exciting, full of life but also very very dark. Just a great read.