Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey

Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Original ISBN 978-0-698-87102-3
Simon Pulse, 1996
125 pages

Plot Summary: Sixteen-year old Tish Bonner is assigned to write two entries per week in a journal for her English class. The teacher, Mrs. Dunphrey, states that she will not read any entry that has “Do Not Read” at the top. Tish decides to test this theory. At first, Tish only writes the minimum number of entries. As time goes on, however, Tish finds herself needing to write longer and more frequent entries allowing her teacher to read a very few for fear her secret will be discovered. For months, Tish has tried to keep house with her 8-year old brother after their mother leaves to find her abusive husband. At her breaking point, Tish’s last entry asks Mrs. Dunphrey to read the entire journal and asks for her help. 

Critical Evaluation: The book is written as a diary from the hand of a sixteen-year old girl, and is interesting reading for even the most reluctant of readers. The writing is gritty and edgy. The voice is truly one of a teenage girl desperate for help.

Reader’s Annotation: It is okay to ask for help…even from your teacher. Tish Bonner does just that.

Author Information: American Peterson Haddix was born in 1964. She says that she always dreamed of becoming an author. She is a prolific writer of children’s books and Young Adult novels. Most of her novels have been awarded YALSA Best Book for Young Adults Awards.

Her website can be found at http://haddixbooks.com/

Genre: Realistic fiction; Diary

Curriculum Ties: English Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas: In addition to expanding upon the Reader’s Annotation,
I would begin a booktalk by reading one of Tish’s last journal entries.

Reading Level / Interest Age: Grades 7-12

Lexile: 980

Challenge Issues: Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey was banned from Galt Joint Elementary School District (California) middle school classrooms, and was restricted in the schools’ libraries. The ban was due to the description of parental neglect and sexual harassment endured by the protagonist.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: Due to its format, I have heard that this book was recommended for reluctant readers. For that reason, I wanted to read it.

Resources:

Doyle, R. P. (2004). Books challenged or banned in 2003-2004 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.ila.org/pdf/2004banned.pdf

Margaret Peterson Haddix. (2012, August 26). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Peterson_Haddix