Godless

Hautman, Pete. 2004. GODLESS. New York: Simon & Schuster Books. ISBN 1416908161

“Being Catholic is hard. Being ex-Catholic is even harder.” Jason Bock states as he attempts to question the faith he has known all of his life. In Pete Hautman’s Godless, Jason creates a new identity for himself and his beliefs about religion. Jason, in what could also be perceived as a cult, creates a new god, the town’s water tower.

Growing up, Jason identified himself as an agnostic, and a possible atheist to his parent’s dismay. Even though he still participated in weekly meetings at the local Catholic church, Jason constantly questioned the teacher, also known as the brainwasher, which often made for uncomfortable circumstances in the meetings. Eventually, Jason seeks his own identity and continues on the journey to find himself. 

“Given the hot-button topic of religion, will Godless attract the attention of censors?  While Hautman’s book doesn't promote a particular religious point of view, he says it does raise questions, which he hopes will encourage a dialogue about faith.”(Ishizuka, 2005). A book that opens up opinions on why some hold the beliefs they do will sure turn the heads of young adults who are in search of what they believe. This book can be used as a resource or an out to those young adults who are often dealing with rebellion from what their parents believe is the right way. Godless is recommended for rebellious teenagers seeking their own identity from their parents and in search of creating their own way of life.

Awards:

National Book Award, 2005

Reference List: 

Ishizuka, Kathy. 2005. ‘Godless’ Wins National Book Award. School Library Journal 51 (January), no. 1: p:20-21, Ebscohost. Database online available at: http://ezproxy.twu.edu. Accessed September 17, 2011.