Kin Platt Criticism
Kin Platt was an influential American novelist and cartoonist known for his contributions to young adult literature. His works range from adventurous tales to deep explorations of complex emotional themes. One of his notable novels, Sinbad and Me, features the exciting escapades of Steven Forrester and his bulldog Sinbad, combining elements of action, treasure hunts, and cryptic secrets. This book was acclaimed, earning the 1967 Edgar Award for juvenile mystery. As appreciated by Phyllis Cohen and Best Sellers, it blends liveliness with classic mystery elements, although it has been critiqued for its length by Virginia Kirkus' Service.
Platt also delved into the psychological struggles of young adults. The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear presents the challenges faced by a schizophrenic protagonist. This novel, praised by Zena Sutherland for its moving narrative, nonetheless faced criticism for its exaggerated character portrayals, as noted in A review of "The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear". Similarly, Hey, Dummy explores themes of acceptance and friendship between Neil Comstock and a mentally handicapped boy, although it was critiqued by Kirkus Reviews.
Platt's "Chloris" series addresses the impact of familial disruptions, such as divorce and suicide, on a young girl. Despite the contentious subjects in his novels, such as Headman, which examines gang life in Los Angeles ghettos and uses raw language, critics like Jack Forman and Robert Berkvist recognize its stark realism.
Platt defended his approach by advocating for the inclusion of challenging ideas and societal critiques in literature, aspiring to deepen both his and his readers' engagement with meaningful content. Despite mixed reactions, his works continue to resonate for their daring themes and innovative storytelling.
Contents
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Visiting Villain
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In the following essay, Robert Berkvist critiques Kin Platt's "The Blue Man" as a quirky thriller that hinges on its ability to convincingly justify its unusual antagonist, ultimately focusing more on the ensuing chase than on providing a satisfactory explanation for its villain's appearance.
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The Blue Man
(summary)
In the following review, Miriam S. Mathes critiques Kin Platt's novel "The Blue Man" for its exaggerated vernacular and fantastical plot, ultimately deeming it an unsuitable choice for purchase despite its intriguing premise.
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Sinbad and Me
(summary)
In the following review, Virginia Kirkus' Service appreciates the lively and imaginative narration in Kin Platt's Sinbad and Me, though criticizes its excessive length and illogical elements, which nevertheless may appeal to readers.
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Sinbad and Me
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In the following essay, Phyllis Cohen praises Kin Platt's Sinbad and Me as a humorous and cleverly constructed mystery for young readers, highlighting its engaging characters, intricate plot, and the successful integration of classic mystery elements into a fresh and lively narrative.
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Best Sellers
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The critic highlights Sinbad and Me as a delightful mystery for young readers, praising its pleasant style, lively narrative, and spirited action as it follows young Steve Forrester and his bulldog Sinbad in solving a local mystery.
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Sinbad and Me
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In the following essay, Sarah Law Kennerly describes "Sinbad and Me" by Kin Platt as an entertaining and humorously illogical adventure where a young protagonist, Steve, along with his bulldog Sinbad, solves an 18th-century mystery and discovers treasure while showcasing his architectural acumen.
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A review of "The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear"
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In the following review, the critic argues that while Kin Platt's "The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear" portrays a compelling narrative of a schizophrenic protagonist navigating personal and familial challenges, it ultimately fails as a psychological study due to exaggerated characterizations and weak structural elements.
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Best Sellers
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The critic highlights that while "The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear" lacks the humor of Platt's earlier work, it offers a poignant exploration of a young boy's emotional struggles amidst family turmoil, providing valuable insights into family dynamics that may resonate more with mature readers.
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The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland commends "The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear" for its moving narrative and exceptional writing, noting the believable portrayal of Roger's struggle against his mother's private, sadistic cruelty as well as his perseverance in working with a speech therapist.
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The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear
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In the following review, John Gillespie evaluates Kin Platt's novel The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear as a challenging yet poignant exploration of a seventh-grader's struggle with a speech impediment and parental neglect, while acknowledging its complex narrative style and occasional character implausibility.
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Mystery of the Witch Who Wouldn't
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In the following review, Sarah Law Kennerly critiques "Mystery of the Witch Who Wouldn't" as a juvenile and watered-down sequel to "Sinbad and Me," noting its focus on witchcraft and lack of plot appeal to readers expecting more conventional mystery storytelling.
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Hey, Dummy
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The critic argues that while Hey, Dummy attempts to explore themes of psychological involvement and mental anguish through its protagonist Neil, the novel ultimately fails due to stylistic confusion, ineffective use of interior monologues, and an implausible plot, leaving readers unable to empathize with the characters.
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Hey, Dummy
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In the following review, Betsy Byars commends Kin Platt's novel "Hey, Dummy" for its sensitive portrayal of mental retardation, highlighting the depth of its characters and the poignant development of themes surrounding empathy, societal perceptions, and the struggle between doing right and facing unintended consequences.
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Hey, Dummy
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland evaluates Kin Platt's "Hey, Dummy" as a perceptive examination of childhood sensitivity, while critiquing its lack of relief from the pervasive negativity of adult characters' reactions and comparing it to Platt's more focused previous work on disturbed children.
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Chloris and the Creeps
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The critic observes that while Kin Platt's depictions of troubled youth have been inconsistent, the portrayal of Chloris in Chloris and the Creeps stands out as an authentically crafted character, effectively depicted through both her mother's critical perspective and her sister's empathetic view.
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Kristin E. Hammond
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In the following essay, Kristin E. Hammond critiques "Chloris and the Creeps" for its insufficient explanation of divorce and parental suicide as the roots of the protagonist's issues, questioning the believability of character developments and suggesting that comparable novels address similar themes with greater realism.
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Chloris and the Creeps
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland commends Kin Platt's "Chloris and the Creeps" for its insightful depiction of a young girl's emotional journey toward accepting her stepfather, though she notes the narrative style may not convincingly reflect the perspective of an eight-year-old.
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Headman
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The critic assesses Kin Platt's "Headman" as a modernized take on "Durango Street," characterized by its raw language and a stark, inevitable conclusion, while acknowledging that the portrayal of grim realism lacks shock value but effectively presents the challenges faced by the protagonist.
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Fractured Families
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In the following essay, Alix Nelson critiques Kin Platt's "Chloris and the Freaks," highlighting its exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics through the eccentric behaviors of the characters, including marital infidelity, spiritual séances, and astrological obsession, which Nelson finds tedious.
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Headman
(summary)
In the following essay, Jack Forman argues that Kin Platt's novel Headman presents a gripping and realistic depiction of street life, emphasizing that social institutions are ineffective for troubled youths like Owen Kirby, where the true governing force is the law of the street.
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Robert Berkvist
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In the following essay, Robert Berkvist critiques Kin Platt's novel Headman, highlighting its realistic portrayal of gang life in Los Angeles ghettos through the experiences of Owen Kirby, emphasizing the novel's use of street language and its unflinching depiction of the harsh realities faced by its characters.
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Chloris and the Freaks
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The critic provides a mixed review of Kin Platt's Chloris and the Freaks, acknowledging the novel's reliance on certain literary devices and its slow recap of previous issues but ultimately praising the authentic portrayal of its complex protagonist and the engaging, if unlikable, characters.
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Chloris and the Freaks
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In the following review, Zena Sutherland critiques Chloris and the Freaks for its incisive yet bitter narrative style, noting its flawed portrayal of adult characters and overemphasis on astrology, while praising the clarity of Kin Platt's writing.
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The Doomsday Gang
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In the following essay, Jack Forman critiques Kin Platt's The Doomsday Gang for its inability to develop characters as effectively as in Headman, arguing that the novel's message about the futility of gang life is conveyed with less impact and greater cynicism.
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Chloris and the Weirdos
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In the following essay, Betsy Hearne praises Kin Platt's depiction of family dynamics and adolescent challenges in "Chloris and the Weirdos," highlighting his skillful combination of humorous dialogue with serious themes of freedom, responsibility, and relationships, without idealizing or belittling any characters.
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The Doomsday Gang
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In the following essay, James Norsworthy critiques Kin Platt's novel "The Doomsday Gang" for its excessive use of obscenities, suggesting that it represents a new, negative genre of children's literature he terms "vulgarism."
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The Doomsday Gang
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In the following essay, Patty Campbell critiques Kin Platt's The Doomsday Gang for its authentic depiction of urban teenage speech and explores the ethical dilemma of portraying violence as enjoyable, questioning whether young adult literature should be obligated to convey a moral message.
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Chloris and the Weirdos
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland praises Kin Platt's Chloris and the Weirdos for its perceptive depiction of adolescent relationships, character vitality, and humor, particularly emphasizing the poignant interactions between protagonist Jenny and her boyfriend Harold.
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Dracula, Go Home!
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The critic describes "Dracula, Go Home!" as a light-hearted, engaging narrative where the young protagonist's investigation into an eerie hotel guest leads to uncovering past jewel thefts, offering a refreshing alternative to typical problem-focused literature for readers with difficulties.
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Chloris and the Weirdos
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In the following essay, Patricia Campbell evaluates Kin Platt's "Chloris and the Weirdos" for its relatable portrayal of middle-class preteens through the character of Jennifer, while critiquing the lack of depth in other characters and highlighting the novel's potential impact on preteens grappling with familial issues post-divorce.
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Dracula Go Home!
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland critiques Dracula, Go Home! as an engaging, fast-paced story with humor, action, and mystery, noting its appeal to readers due to its suspenseful atmosphere despite a not entirely convincing plot, and its suitability for older readers with limited vocabulary.
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Booklist
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The critic evaluates Kin Platt's "The Ape Inside Me" as a simply written, positive story about a teenager's struggle with temper and self-confidence, highlighting its appeal to young readers, particularly those who are reluctant, despite lacking the realism of Platt's earlier works.
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The Ape Inside Me
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In the following essay, Claire M. Dyson explores Kin Platt's The Ape Inside Me, highlighting its portrayal of adolescence, the protagonist's struggles with maturity, and the novel's depiction of socio-economic issues, while praising its believable characters and idealistic conclusion.
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The Ghost of Hellsfire Street
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In the following essay, Sutherland critiques Kin Platt's "The Ghost of Hellsfire Street" for its humorous yet predictable plot, noting the excessive and clichéd elements that render the story mundane despite its potentially engaging premise.
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Flames Going Out
(summary)
In the following essay, Jack Forman critiques Kin Platt's "Flames Going Out," arguing that the novel's portrayal of mental illness through the character Tammy is unconvincing due to overly simplistic narrative techniques and lack of depth in character development, contrasting it with more successful depictions in works by Green, Guest, and Neufeld.
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The Ghost of Hellsfire Street
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In the following essay, Drew Stevenson praises Kin Platt's "The Ghost of Hellsfire Street" as a lively and engaging mystery intertwined with multiple plot threads, focusing on a scheme to defraud local Native Americans of oil, with a well-executed resolution that calls for more stories of similar intrigue.
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Flames Going Out
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In the following essay, Patty Campbell examines Kin Platt's novel Flames Going Out, highlighting the problematic depiction of female characters who rely on male characters for their salvation, while acknowledging the novel's engaging storytelling and its reflection of recurring themes in adolescent literature.
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Joyce Milton
(summary)
In the following essay, Joyce Milton critiques Kin Platt's novel "Flames Going Out" for failing to compellingly depict its controversial themes, arguing that the story's portrayal of teenage issues in Los Angeles lacks depth and fails to engage due to its problematic characterization and unconvincing narrative.
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Flames Going Out
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland critiques Kin Platt's novel Flames Going Out as a competently written yet overwhelmingly negative work that effectively portrays psychotic conflicts but lacks sufficient depth and direction to engage readers.
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Brogg's Brain
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In the following essay, Zena Sutherland evaluates Kin Platt's novel "Brogg's Brain," praising its mature exploration of themes such as the father-son dynamic, personal growth, and teenage relationships within the context of a reluctant athlete's journey.
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Brogg's Brain
(summary)
In the following essay, Kevin Kenny praises Kin Platt's "Brogg's Brain" for its exploration of youth identity and self-confidence, highlighting its engaging characters and plot that appeal to both male and female young adults, and recommends it as an accessible read for reluctant readers.
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Frank and Stein and Me
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In the following essay, Nancy Steinbeck praises Kin Platt's Frank and Stein and Me as a witty and engaging spoof of Frankenstein lore, highlighting its slapstick humor, clever storytelling, and appeal to readers with a taste for the ridiculous.