King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography

Hilarious and heartbreaking, this book went to the depths of a bored adolescent growing up before television was huge, personal computers existed, and the only fun you could have was by going outside and doing something. Chris Crutcher was a gracious failure growing up. His writing style builds up his adolescent ego, boasting of all his confidence in one trend or the other to impress the many beautiful women around him. Each time the writing comes to a crescendo, young Crutcher ultimately, and hilariously, fails. There are many lessons a young adult can learn from this book, and I highly recommend this for students in 8th or 9th grades.

Freakin' hilarious! Crutcher's childhood, putting up with his older brother who would always dare him to "do something neat"--which invariably got him (chris) in trouble and the brother off scot free. Great read aloud, too, you won't be able to stop laughing. But he also talks about his whole life, his athletic endeavors, good and bad, and all of the painful things that go into everyone's life. It's just a really really heartfelt book.

Got to read some more of Crutcher's fiction after listening to this book! Funny, irreverent, and sometimes a pain in the butt, Crutcher's anecdotes about his formative years are engaging. It was his take on himself as an author (particularly an author of books which have been frequently challenged) and his commitment to valuing the voices of the unheard and those that have been through hardships that moved me.

Ever wonder what childhood was like for your favorite author? Not just the “born in the country, raised in a log cabin,” sort of thing, but the embarrassing, mind-boggling moments in high school or church or on the summer job? Well here’s your answer. Chris Crutcher writes his own ill-advised biography that will answer a lot of your questions about how he started writing and where his stories come from. Did you ever ask yourself how the term Stotan came into existence? Or how the author got the inspiration for Angus? Or maybe you just wanted to be let in on the secret of Esus, Jesus’s older brother. This hilarious biography tells the story of how the crybaby of the Crutcher family became one of the best writers for young show more adults.

Crutcher’s autobiography is funny and touching. While he brings up some difficult issues (particularly his relationship with his parents), he mostly keeps the story lighthearted. After reading about Crutcher’s life, you begin to understand some of the trends in his characters. He skillfully connects his childhood stories with deeper meanings that make the reader stop and think. show less

Autobiography of the YA author that reflects on his growing-up years in Cascade, ID. He was a geeky guy who never got the girl. Memorable scenes: the olive/naked boy relay, the glow-in-the-dark Jesus, his questions of religion, his fake book report and how his stories came from his work as a therapist.

This will find some resounding chords with young adults and their mentors and advisors, as it makes us reflect upon our actions and the opportunities that we must grab and not let pass us by. Funny and...painful.

Love this book and nearly everything by this author. Apparently he grew up in de olden days when kids were allowed to be mean to one another, it was even expected. This book shows some of how Chris Crutcher got to be who he is today and why he writes that awesome Y.A. books that he does. Books that tackle subjects with humor and compassion that would easily cause some to want to ban them. They are so full of wisdom.