Night fisher by R. Kikuo Johnson. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics, 2005.

ISBN:  1560977191

Illustrator: Johnson, R.K.

Media: Pen and Inks

4Q/4P

Annotation:  Life on the Hawaiian island of Maui has become increasingly difficult for Loren and his friends, as they get closer to graduation.  Natural tropical motifs of plant life on the island add to the stories theme.

KRF 6/15/09

Johnson, R. K. (2005). Night fisher. Seattle, Wash: Fantagraphics.

ISBN: 1560977191

Art: Dramatic, and sometimes minimalistic, black and white ink pictures.

Genre and Themes: Fiction, Drug Abuse, Teenage Relationships, Family

Age Range: Grades 9-12

What the book is about: Set in Maui, Loren Foster is beginning a journey of self-discovery.  Seemingly forced to choose between the world of his father or his peers, Loren explores both worlds to find that what his expectations are sometimes not the realities.

Notes: Due to repeated instances of drug use and sexuality, Night Fisher may cause some controversy. Heavy use of symbolism. Top Ten Favorite.

Rationale for inclusion in middle and high school libraries: The consequences of Loren’s actions are pretty realistic: increased isolation, alienation from family and friends, potential trouble with the law, and abandonment by those he thought were his friends. Although, there were no drastic repercussions related to Loren’s actions, Night Fisher is an accurate depiction of that moment when choices are made to pursue a certain path one way or the other. This story is as critically acclaimed and named as one of the Top Ten books for Teens for 2005.  Also, according to the Library Bill of Rights, as librarians we must ensure that any attempt “to regulate or suppress materials in libraries must be closely scrutinized to the end that protected expression is not abridged.” (ALA website http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/challengedbanned retrieved April 30, 2008)

Rating: P5/Q5

JMB 05/06/08