Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-advised Autobiography. Greenwillow Books, 2003. ISBN 0060502509. $17.89. 260 pp. Reviewer: Margaret Manchak Reading Level: Young adult; Rating: Excellent Genre: Informational books; Subject: Authors, American--20th Century--Biography--Juvenile literature; Crutcher, Chris--Juvenile literature; Idaho--Social life and customs--Juvenile literature; This autobiography has undeniable appeal. King of the Mild Frontier chronicles Chris Crutcher's life growing up in the 1950's from toddler to teenager. The author portrays himself in a charmingly self-effacing way, first as a young "bawlbaby," and later an athletic misfit, an academic oddball, and an utter klutz with girls. While the book is very entertaining to read, no subject, however taboo, is off-limits here. He writes about all the sinister adolescent games, all the hormones, and all the body functions, with very colorful language to boot. (Read: This could very well offend more sensitive readers.) Chris Crutcher is a successful Young Adult Novelist. His books have all been selected as ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and he has won two lifetime achievement awards. He is also a family therapist and a child protection specialist. On the face this book is all comedy, but Crutcher is a serious writer, and he approaches important adolescent topics such as rejection, loneliness, and competition in an honest and constructive way.
