I don't wanna be an orange anymore By Hank Kellner

Book Description

Growing up in the fictional town of Meadowview, young Willie Watson objects to being required to play the part of an orange in the school play when he is nine and in the fourth grade. But that's just the beginning of his problems. As he continues through elementary school and into junior high school, Willie has to deal with the town bully; Christmas with his relatives; the death of a schoolmate; the loss of his girlfriend; the theft of a fountain pen, and his broken eyeglasses.

But that’s not all. Willie doesn’t want to eat his peas; take the garbage out; deal with his troublesome kid sister; try to climb the ropes in gym class while his gym teacher harasses him, or have to stay after school until he’s “…old enough to grow a beard.”

Readers will discover how Willy becomes a member of Brucie’s gang; what happens in the old movie house on Main Street; how feisty old Grandma inspires Willie, and much, much more.

Included in this book are such chapters as "There Is No Santa Claus," "Oh Captain, My Captain," "The Dog in the Rhinestone Collar," "A Bird's Just a Bird," and "Hey Brucie, Your Sister Wears Long Underwear."

I Don’t Wanna Be an Orange Anymore contains a wealth of humorous and often touching descriptions of a young boy's fantasies and life experiences as he grows up in a small town many years ago. 

Book Readers Review

This is an interesting and surprising read, really quite delightful. 'I Don't Wanna Be an Orange Anymore' is about a young boy trying to make sense of his world in a small American town in the year 1942.  Europe is in the throes of war and nine year old Willie Watson is fighting his own battles.  His efforts to avoid the class bully, Bruce Schultz, are not succeeding too well.  The death of one of Willie's classmates has taken its toll.  After school detention seems like it will last his lifetime.  His young sister is the favored child, in Willie's eyes and all can think of, is ways to take revenge.

  

I was not sure what to expect on starting the book but was pleasantly surprised.  It is listed as fiction but reads as autobiographical.  The author makes it sound so with an authentic voice. Willie’s boys antics are funny and made me laugh often.   Hank’s writing style is flowing and easy to read.  I found the characters endearing and easy to believe they could be real.  A good read for a rainy day.  I recommend for all ages.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

   

About the Author:

Hank Kellner is a veteran of the Korean War and a retired associate professor of English. He is the author of 125 Photos for English Composition Classes (J. Weston Walch, 1978), How to Be a Better Photographer (J. Weston Walch, 1980), Write What You See (Prufrock Press, 2010), and, with Elizabeth Guy Reflect and Write: 300 Poems and Photographs to Inspire Writing Prufrock Press, 2013). His other writings and photographs have appeared in hundreds of publications and journals nationwide

Kellner’s most recent writings include twelve E-books. Included in this collection are: Terror at Mirror Lake, a psychological thriller; I Don’t Wanna Be an Orange Anymore, a coming of age novel; The Lucky Star House of Celestial Pleasures, a satire in the style of Voltaire; The Pokerbury Tales, a satire in the style of Chaucer; several works of illustrated poetry; two cookbooks, and two other works of non fiction. 

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