Tangerine by Edward Bloor is a captivating young adult novel published in 2006․ It follows Paul Fisher, a visually impaired 12-year-old, as he navigates life in Tangerine County, Florida․
The story unfolds in a unique setting, blending soccer, family secrets, and supernatural elements․ Bloor’s vivid storytelling explores themes of identity and coming-of-age, making it a compelling read for all ages․
Overview
Tangerine by Edward Bloor is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the life of Paul Fisher, a visually impaired 12-year-old navigating the peculiar town of Tangerine County, Florida․
The story blends elements of soccer, family secrets, and supernatural occurrences, creating a unique and engaging narrative․ Bloor’s vivid descriptions and exploration of themes like identity and self-discovery make the book a compelling read․ Available as a Tangerine Book PDF, it offers an accessible way for readers to explore Paul’s journey of growth and understanding in a town filled with mysteries and unexpected events․
Author Background
Edward Bloor, the acclaimed author of Tangerine, is known for his ability to craft compelling and thought-provoking narratives for young adult readers․ Born with a passion for storytelling, Bloor’s work often explores themes of identity, family, and self-discovery, resonating deeply with his audience․
His writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions and a unique blend of realism and supernatural elements․ Tangerine, published in 2006, has become one of his most celebrated works, earning praise for its originality and emotional depth․ Bloor’s ability to weave intricate characters and settings has solidified his reputation as a masterful storyteller in contemporary young adult literature․
Main Character
The main character of Tangerine is Paul Fisher, a 12-year-old boy who is visually impaired and navigating the challenges of adolescence․ Paul’s journey is central to the story as he moves to Tangerine County, Florida, and grapples with family secrets, identity, and self-discovery․
Paul’s visual impairment adds a unique perspective to his experiences, as he relies on his other senses to interpret the world․ His determination to fit in and find his place, especially through soccer, highlights his resilience․ Throughout the book, Paul’s character evolves as he confronts truths about his family and himself, making him a relatable and inspiring protagonist for readers of all ages․
Setting
Tangerine is set in Tangerine County, Florida, a peculiar and vividly described location․ The setting plays a significant role in shaping the story, with its unique landscape and atmosphere․ The county’s tangerine groves, muck fires, and quirky community create a backdrop of mystery and intrigue․ The Fisher family’s move to this town introduces Paul to a new environment, where he encounters both challenges and opportunities․ The setting also influences the supernatural elements woven into the narrative, adding depth to the story․ Through its distinctive setting, Edward Bloor crafts a world that is both familiar and extraordinary, enhancing the themes of identity and coming-of-age․
The interplay between the setting and the characters’ experiences is crucial, making Tangerine County more than just a location—it’s a character in itself․
Main Characters
The novel focuses on Paul Fisher, a visually impaired 12-year-old navigating life in Tangerine County․ Other key characters include Tino, Paul’s teammate, Ms․ Bright, a supportive figure, and Theresa, whose presence adds depth to the story․
Paul Fisher
Paul Fisher is the protagonist of Tangerine, a 12-year-old boy with a visual impairment․ His journey is central to the story, as he copes with family secrets and self-discovery․ Paul’s character evolves significantly as he faces challenges in his new environment, Tangerine County, where he begins to uncover truths about his past and family․ His experiences on the soccer team and interactions with characters like Tino and Ms․ Bright play a pivotal role in his growth․ Paul’s resilience and determination are key themes, making him a relatable and inspiring character for readers․ His story is a powerful exploration of identity, family dynamics, and the struggles of adolescence․
Tino
Tino is a significant character in Tangerine, playing a crucial role in Paul Fisher’s life․ As Paul’s teammate on the soccer team, Tino’s dynamic with Paul is complex, balancing camaraderie and tension․ Their relationship highlights themes of loyalty and rivalry, as Tino struggles to accept Paul’s unique abilities and growing influence․ Outside of soccer, Tino’s interactions with Paul are strained, reflecting deeper issues of trust and understanding․ Tino’s character serves as both a friend and a foil to Paul, pushing him to confront challenges and uncover hidden truths․ Their bond evolves throughout the story, ultimately contributing to Paul’s personal growth and the resolution of family secrets․ Tino’s presence underscores the novel’s exploration of identity, teamwork, and the complexities of human relationships․
Ms․ Bright is a pivotal figure in Tangerine, introducing Paul Fisher to the world of soccer at Tangerine Middle School․ Her belief in Paul’s potential, despite his visual impairment, sets her apart as a supportive and inspiring mentor․ Ms․ Bright’s unwavering encouragement helps Paul find confidence and purpose, both on and off the field․ Her character embodies themes of resilience and empowerment, playing a key role in Paul’s journey of self-discovery․ Ms․ Bright’s influence extends beyond soccer, aiding Paul in navigating personal challenges and uncovering hidden truths about his family and identity․ Her presence is a cornerstone of the novel, highlighting the impact of supportive educators on young lives․ Through her guidance, Paul learns to embrace his strengths and confront his fears, making her an integral part of his transformation․ Theresa is a significant character in Tangerine, offering a unique perspective on Paul Fisher’s life․ She serves as a bridge, connecting Paul to his new environment and the soccer team․ Theresa’s presence is marked by her strength and confidence, which inspire Paul to embrace his abilities․ Her role in introducing Paul to Ms․ Bright highlights her supportive nature, fostering an environment where Paul can thrive․ Theresa’s interactions with Paul reveal her empathy and understanding, making her a vital figure in his journey of self-discovery․ Through her character, the novel emphasizes the importance of friendship and mentorship in overcoming personal challenges․ Theresa’s influence helps Paul navigate the complexities of his new life, making her a memorable and impactful character in the story․ Family secrets, identity, and coming of age are central themes in Tangerine․ Soccer serves as a metaphor for overcoming challenges, while supernatural elements add depth to Paul’s journey of self-discovery․ Family secrets play a pivotal role in Tangerine, as Paul Fisher grapples with the unspoken truths within his family․ The mysterious circumstances surrounding his brother Erik’s football accident and subsequent death are central to the story․ Paul’s visual impairment and his family’s reluctance to discuss it reflect deeper emotional wounds․ His father’s obsession with Erik’s football legacy further complicates their relationship, as Paul struggles to find his place․ The Fisher family’s move to Tangerine County forces them to confront these buried secrets, especially when supernatural events and the town’s peculiar environment bring the truth to light․ Themes of neglect, favoritism, and denial are explored, showing how unresolved family issues can shape individual identities and relationships․ The novel ultimately highlights the importance of confronting the past to heal and move forward․ Identity is a central theme in Tangerine, as Paul Fisher navigates his sense of self amidst challenges and revelations․ His visual impairment and family dynamics shape his struggle to define himself․ Paul’s journey is marked by self-discovery, as he confronts his past and the truth about his family․ Moving to Tangerine County forces him to adapt and find his place in a new environment․ Through soccer and unexpected friendships, Paul gains confidence and begins to assert his individuality․ The novel explores how external pressures and internal fears can influence self-perception, but also how courage and resilience can lead to growth․ Paul’s evolving identity reflects the broader message of embracing one’s uniqueness and finding strength in adversity․ His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and the journey toward understanding oneself․ Coming of age is a pivotal theme in Tangerine, as Paul Fisher faces challenges that propel him toward maturity․ His journey is marked by self-discovery, resilience, and the realization of his own strength․ Moving to Tangerine County forces Paul to confront unfamiliar circumstances, including a new school, soccer, and supernatural occurrences․ Through these experiences, he learns to navigate his identity and find his place in the world․ The novel highlights the struggles of adolescence, including family dynamics and peer relationships, which shape Paul’s growth․ His ability to adapt and overcome obstacles underscores the universal message of maturation․ By the end of the story, Paul emerges with a newfound sense of confidence and understanding, embodying the transformative power of the coming-of-age experience․ His story resonates as a testament to the challenges and triumphs of growing up․ Tangerine follows Paul Fisher’s journey as he moves to Tangerine County, where he discovers his talent for soccer, encounters supernatural elements, and uncovers family secrets, leading to his growth and self-discovery․ Paul Fisher’s life changes dramatically when his family moves to Tangerine County, Florida․ The relocation forces him to adapt to a new environment and confront his past․ The town’s peculiar atmosphere, marked by eerie landscapes and unusual occurrences, adds to his sense of unease․ Paul’s father, entangled in his own ambitions, overlooks his son’s struggles, while Paul’s mother tries to maintain a sense of normalcy․ The move also brings Paul closer to the truth about his visual impairment and the family’s hidden secrets․ This transition sets the stage for his journey of self-discovery and growth, intertwining soccer, supernatural events, and personal revelations․ The move becomes a catalyst for Paul’s transformation, pushing him to face challenges and uncover the truth about himself and his family․ Soccer plays a central role in Tangerine, as it becomes a source of identity and conflict for Paul Fisher․ Despite his visual impairment, Paul exhibits remarkable skills on the field, earning recognition from his peers and coaches․ His ability to “see” the game through sound and intuition sets him apart, showcasing his resilience and adaptability․ However, tensions arise with teammates like Tino, who resents Paul’s talent and the attention he receives․ Coach Walski and Ms․ Bright encourage Paul to embrace his strengths, helping him find confidence both on and off the field․ Soccer serves as a metaphor for Paul’s journey, highlighting themes of belonging, perseverance, and self-discovery․ The sport also intertwines with the supernatural elements of the story, as eerie occurrences during matches add to the mysterious atmosphere of Tangerine County․ The town of Tangerine County is infused with eerie and supernatural undertones, creating a mysterious atmosphere․ Strange occurrences, such as the unexplained muck fires and the haunting presence of shadowy figures, add to the enigmatic nature of the setting․ Paul’s experience with a flashlight during a soccer game, where he sees shadowy figures on the ground, is a pivotal supernatural moment․ This event is linked to his past trauma and his journey toward uncovering family secrets․ The supernatural elements in the story serve as a metaphor for the darkness and hidden truths that Paul must confront․ They also underscore the psychological and emotional challenges he faces, blending the surreal with the real to enhance the narrative’s depth and intrigue․ The climax of Tangerine unfolds as Paul confronts the truth about his family’s secrets and his own past․ During a dramatic soccer game, Paul’s newfound confidence and skills shine, but the tension escalates when his brother, Erik, appears, revealing the depth of their strained relationship․ The story reaches its peak when Paul stands up to his father, refusing to be controlled by the lies and manipulation that have haunted him․ Simultaneously, the mysterious muck fire and supernatural elements intensify, symbolizing the unraveling of the town’s and Paul’s inner turmoil․ This moment marks a turning point for Paul, as he gains clarity about his identity and the truth about his eyesight, leading to a resolution that changes his life and family dynamics forever․Ms․ Bright
Theresa
Themes
Family Secrets
Identity
Coming of Age
Plot Summary
Paul’s Move
Soccer
Supernatural Elements
Climax