Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson

by Mitch Albom

Assignment: #2 of popular novel annotations
Publication info.: Doubleday, 1997. 208 p.
Genre & Format: Drama; Novel

Awards/Reviews: Christian Science Monitor & NEA Today
Grades: 8 and up

Summary: Mitch Albom, a national sports reporter, sees a news clip about his mentor dieing of Lou Gherig’s Disease, and trying to make his last days meaningful and dignified. Mitch, as narrator, tells of his weekly visit with Morrie, flying in just to spend a bit of time every Tuesday, soaking up wisdom and truth about life. He tells about Morrie dieing, but it really is about life and how you look at it. He goes through the progression of the disease and how Morrie gains even more integrity as his body fails him, causing his physical being to be less under his control. He is however under control of his reaction to his demise, and Mitch is there to absorb these truths.

Comments: While it all seemed too sappy and “bestsellery” for me to read, it was a most delightful tear-stained surprise. As one of my students told me, it really makes you think about how you look at life. It is sad and hopeful all at the same time. It is really philosophy cloaked in narrative.

Booktalking ideas: If you are one of those people who think you have life all figured out, read this and see if you really were on the right track. What’s that…nobody feels that they have it all figured out… well, read this and see if it gives you somewhere to start a dialogue about life. You will be begging a friend to read it too so that you can talk about it together. Really.

VOYAesque Rating: 5Q 4P