In the Space Left Behind by Joan Ackermann

Ackermann, J. (2007). In the space left behind. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 006072255.

Plot Summary: Colm Drucker is a responsible and good-looking fifteen-year-old boy who lives in Massachusetts with his mom and two sisters. While he is home alone, he discovers the family dog, Chester, has died. With his mom and baby sister in Las Vegas, Colm has no one to tell. Unsure that his mother is going to return due to her fondness of the Las Vegas lifestyle, he plans on buying his family home. One day, he unexpectedly received a phone call from his father who wants him to take a road trip to California and promises seventy thousand dollars. Despite his internal battle, Colm decides to take the trip so he could have a decent down payment for the house. On a road trip with a father he does not know, Colm is annoyed with the lies, dishonesty, and irresponsibility of his father. Eventually, he comes to learn about patience and understanding.

Critical Evaluation: Although Colm Drucker is offered a large sum of money to drive his father to California, readers are led to believe that something very extreme is going to happen. I had assumed that his father was wanted for owing a large amount of money for his gambling problem. However, it turns out that his father’s intentions are quite simple. This book is great for anyone who has lacked a father in his or her life. Even though there was not much of twist, the story was good and simple. The author does a great job at making connections in this father and son relationship. At the end of the story, readers see the significance of Chester, the family dog, and the importance of the road trip for his father. Colm’s character experiences a very subtle evolution. The road trip ended up being an eye opener and changed Colm from being angry to understanding.

Information about the Author: Joan Ackermann is an author, journalist, screenwriter, and playwright. She has written several plays and have recently had her play, Off the Map, adapted as a feature film. She is also the director of a theater, Mixed Company, which is located in Massachusetts. She currently lives in the Berkshires and works as a hiking guide.

Annotation: Although Colm Drucker’s father abandoned his family, he returns to give Colm a seventy thousand dollar offer to drive across the country with him.

Genre: Road travel

Curriculum Ties: United States Geography

Booktalking Ideas: First person narrative from Colm's perspective.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Although it is only mentioned briefly, Colm and his father do have a discussion about God and religion.

Reason for Inclusion: This book is great for teens who haven’t had a father in their life. Although most fathers have never given their kids the opportunity that Colm received, readers can get the perspective of how a parent may feel when they make the decision to leave their family.