Freaky Green Eyes

Title Freaky Green Eyes
Author Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates was born in rural New York in 1938. While attending college, she won a fiction contest in Mademoiselle magazine and published her first book in 1963. She is an extremely prolific writer and has published over 50 books, many for young adults. She has received numerous awards and her novel them received a National Book Award. Oates is a professor at Princeton University and lives in New Jersey.
ISBN 9780064473484
Publisher HarperTempest (an imprint of HarperCollins)
Copyright Date 2003
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Contemporary Life
Plot Summary
Freaky Green Eyes is the story of Franky Pierson and her stronger, alterego, Freaky Green Eyes. This is the part of herself that she allows to see the truth, to understand what is going on in her life. You see, Franky's dad is a famous sportscaster and he and her mom are having problems. In order to get away, her mom starts spending time at a cabin, working on her art. Though Franky is aware that her dad can be controlling and manipulative, she feels like her mother is deserting her, her older brother and her younger sister. When her mother goes missing, though, Franky realizes that something is really wrong, though she doesn't want to see it for herself. Maybe with the help of Freaky Green Eyes, she'll be able to get through it.
Critical Evaluation
This is a great book about what happens when the people around you are not what they seem and about domestic violence. Franky's character is immediately likeable and the reader is drawn into her world. So much so that it is easy to see both sides of the story, that of her mother - struggling to gain independence and her father - struggling to hold his family together, even if he has to be violent in order to do it. A great recommendation for teens who enjoy realistic fiction that deals with serious life issues. Also a great read for anyone who enjoyed Oates' first YA novel, Big Mouth and Ugly Girl.
Reader’s Annotation
Franky doesn't want to listen to what Freaky Green Eyes has to say. But Freaky Green Eyes and Franky are the same person.
Curriculum Ties none
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do a character sketch of Franky and then of Freaky Green Eyes. Encourage the audience to read more to see what happens.
Challenge Issues
None
Why did I include this book?
Best Children's Books (Publishers Weekly, 2003); Kirkus Book Review, Stars (2003); Oates is one of my favorite authors.