I don't normally review older books, but this one is such a gem I couldn't resist...

In a series of shorts, Gary Paulsen relives his young adolescence growing up in small-town Minnesota after the Second World War. If the movie A Christmas Story were crossed with a written version of America's Funniest Home Videos, it would be this book. Paulson as narrator sounds very much like Grandpa sitting in his rocker with wide-eyed (and eared) youngsters gathered around as he spins elaborate tales of the mischief he and his friends created for themselves growing up. The dedication reads "... to all boys in their thirteenth year; the miracle is that we survived it," a thought that will percolate continually through any adult's mind as they read or listen to this book, even as they can't help but laugh at Paulsen's boyhood antics. From unintentionally hang-gliding halfway across the county to wrestling a bear to a homemade bungee jump, Angel Peterson will have readers and listeners alike in both tears of laughter and expressions of awe. An absolute must-read, must-recommend, particularly for middle-grade and middle school boys as well as a wonderful read-aloud. Particular appeal for reluctant readers as a short, easy read with high interest and a quick pace. Once again, Paulsen demonstrates a true mastery of his craft. Five stars.

Recommended: reluctant readers, boys, humor, short reads

Read-Alikes: Guys Read, The Great Brain

It kind of confused me at times and I just didn't really like the book

Hilarious! There are few books which have had me laughing so much, cringing a little too at times. This is a short read for an adult, the individual chapters are perfect for stand-alone class read-alouds at the end of the period and the book can be completed over time this way. This is also a great book to recommend for boys that may like to read about other boys (like themselves?) who have adventures and try stupid stunts, a la TV's Jackass. There is some historical context which helps put the story in the context of Paulsen's other semi-autobiographical stories.

Admittedly did not finish. Read aloud some chapters with the kids, which were funny, but just okay. In the end, we got distracted and haven’t missed it.

This was a great and funny book

This book takes place in the childhood of Gary Paulsen. He lived in a little northern Minnesota town that had a river. The river had a waterfall with a 12 foot drop.He decided to go in a barrel, like something he had seen in the newspaper, and drop off of the waterfall. When he got into the water he found out that it was almost impossible to get out of the barrel from the inside. He thought that the barrel would float because it was made out of wood, but it sunk to the bottom almost immediately. The current picked up and carried the barrel over the edge. When he hit the bottom of the waterfall, he hit a rock and it broke the barrel. That is how his adventures started.
This is a very interesting book. What I like about this book is the fact that there is always more information to read. There were many different adventures to read about in this book. Some of my favorite adventures in the book were, setting the high speed on skis, jumping through a hoop of fire, and inventing bungee jumping.
One of the strengths of this writing is the descriptive language used in this book. I would recommend this book to a classmate or friend. I would recommend this book to a classmate or friend because I thought it was an interesting book.

Hysterical!

Absolutely hilarious.

PAULSEN- NONFICTION
This book is a collection of stories from Gary Paulsen’s teenage years. They are a collection of daredevil stunts that he and his friends did. Before extreme sports, quality protective gear, and television Paulsen and his friends have a lot of fun. They do wild things like try to beat a record for how fast you can ski0- 74mp- being pulled by a truck. Another is flying a giant parachute like a kite, and ending up hang gliding. Paulsen’s story of his own first date is hilarious- he is so nervous he sweats the entire time and the only thing he asks her is if she wants popcorn. This book was written with heart and has a comical style.
I would recommend this to boys- I think they could relate with the funny adventures and strange ways they prove themselves. But I don’t know if I’d actually give it to a 13-year-old. They might try some of the stunts. Maybe 16 and up? I’m not sure. It was hilarious, though.

There are times in my life as a fledgling 8th grade teacher where I have to read books like How Angel Peterson Got His Name. I mean, it is written by Gary Paulsen of Hatchet fame, which is pretty much a staple in the middle school reading curriculum canon.

There were parts of this book where I laughed out loud at the idiocy and antics of young gentlemen in this nonfiction account. I can't say that I would have finished it, were it not a requirement for my coaching the Battle of the Books team. I think this was a poor choice for the Battle of the Books reading list, one that could have been better occupied with a book of more substance.

It was as many of my 8th grade readers, when asked what makes a good book, have told me is super important, "action packed!"

It's a pretty lit teenage boy book.

Aspects of the work that appeal, or do not appeal to teens:
This is simply hilarious. I found this book picturing X-games style extreme sports, and instead found short stories about all of the incredibly stupid things that pre-teen boys can do. I laughed out loud and read pieces to my friends, and I think that teens would do the same. The stories were so incredibly ridiculous that they pretty much have to be believed. This book doesn’t really include any of the 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents (except perhaps personal power or a positive view of personal future… I think you’d have to have those to attempt some of this stuff), but one could hope that after reading tales of the characters’ stupidity that students’ own desire to do stupid things would be satisfied vicariously.

Are the characters believable?
VERY believable! It sounds like I’m just hearing a story from my dad or grandfather or one of my college friends.

How would you promote this book to teens?
- Dumb mistakes (almost) everyone makes
- Humorous stories
- Short stories
- This would make a great read-aloud in a classroom, too.

VOYA codes:
5Q, 4P, M