Author: Patricia Gatto & John De Angelis
Illustrated by Kenneth Vincent
Publishers: Providence Publishing Company 2004
ISBN: 0-9651661-9-8

The following review was contribute by Katherine J. Turcotte: To view other reviews of Katherine

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Milton’s Dilemma is a book that focuses on the bullying of young Milton Hastings, a boy of ten, being raised by his mother, after the death of his father in the war.

Moving is nothing out of the ordinary for Milton, military families move often. But when they finally settle down in the town of Smithville, life changes drastically. Milton’s mother gets a job and he is the new-kid-on-the-block.

The other boys in his school are mostly from wealthy families, but Milton is different. A little over-weight and slightly clumsy makes him an easy target to torment. And torment they do. When Milton is offered the chance to get even by a magical rhyming gnome named Duffy McDoogle, things are about to get interesting. With the ball in his court, this is his big chance to get even with the boys who make everyday miserable for him.

A humorous, yet touching tale of a little boy forced to stand alone and make the right decisions. Well adapted to many family situations today of a one-parent household, this delicate but very real subject of how a child learns to deal with adversity is handled in a manner that is presented in a fun way and still succeeds in getting it’s point across.
Milton’s Dilemma should be a part of every elementary school’s curriculum.

Katherine J. Turcotte, Reviewer