Come Alive at 505 by Robin F. Brancato
"Come Alive at 505" by Robin F. Brancato is an adolescent novel that embodies themes of domestic realism, exploring the life of seventeen-year-old Danny Fetzer. Caught between his parents' expectations for college and his passion for becoming a radio disc jockey, Danny navigates the complexities of adolescence and familial pressure. He creates an imaginary radio station in his bedroom, where he immerses himself in his dream. The novel also introduces Mimi Alman, a young woman grappling with obesity and self-worth, and George Varek, who represents the darker side of addiction and peer influence.
Amidst apathy at Duncan High School, Danny and his friends engage in a humorous yet rebellious act by nominating a fictional candidate for class president, leading to unexpected consequences. Ultimately, Danny's journey takes a pivotal turn during a local radio contest, prompting a realization about the importance of education alongside his dreams. Through this narrative, Brancato challenges readers to reflect on personal dilemmas, making "Come Alive at 505" a thought-provoking read that resonates with both young audiences and adults. The novel contributes to the genre of juvenile fiction by posing questions about identity, ambition, and the choices that shape one's future.
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Subject Terms
Come Alive at 505 by Robin F. Brancato
First published: 1980
Type of work: Domestic realism
Themes: Coming-of-age, jobs and work, and friendship
Time of work: The late twentieth century
Recommended Ages: 13-15
Locale: Winfield, New Jersey
Principal Characters:
Danny Fetzer , a high school senior who fantasizes about being a disc jockeyHelen Fetzer , his mother, who considers his desire to become a disc jockey unthinkable and disgracefulNorman Fetzer , his father, who does not consider a career in radio a worthwhile choiceMartin “Marty” J. Mc Gowen , his friend, who plots with him to get a fictitious senior elected class presidentGeorge Varek , a problem student who experiments with drugsMimi Alman , an overweight girl who lacks self-confidenceTom Rose , a naive friend of Danny and Marty, who becomes upset when he learns of the school-president hoax
The Story
Come Alive at 505, through plot and setting, can be classified as an example of domestic realism. In this adolescent novel, the problems confronting the major character, Danny Fetzer, are those that can be found in an average, commonplace family. Danny, a seventeen-year-old high school senior, is caught in a dilemma: His parents want him to go to college, but he wants to become a radio disc jockey.
Danny, who has been an avid radio listener from an early age, sets up an imaginary radio station in his bedroom, where he spends many hours recording and assuming the role of Danny Forsythe on the imaginary radio station WHUP (505 on the AM dial). His friend Marty becomes an active participant in Danny’s efforts to become a success.
Entwined with Danny’s conflict with his parents are two additional conflicts. Early in the novel he falls in love with Mimi Alman, who is in a constant battle with herself to overcome her obesity and lack of self-confidence. Mimi reveals to Danny that she had taken pep pills supplied by George Varek, resulting in her addiction and submission to a sexual encounter. George’s experiences as a drug user and pusher constitute the story’s other secondary conflict.
Duncan High School students, according to Danny and his friends, are the epitome of apathy. To make the school “come alive,” the friends enter the nonexistent John Custer as a candidate for class president. Come alive the school does, but not before the plot is discovered. As punishment for his role in the prank, Danny is given responsibility for fundraisers at the Guinness Day festivities.
Danny enters and wins a local contest; his triumph allows him to gain a firsthand view of the radio industry. During his interview, Danny observes Jim Dolan and other staff of station WWTM; Danny discovers that all the personnel at the station except for Dolan are college graduates. Fascinated with all that he sees, Danny concludes that he would do anything to become a radio disc jockey, even go to college. In the end, he decides to take the part-time job offered to him at the radio station and to attend college as well. Both he and his parents are pleased with this arrangement.
Context
Come Alive at 505 is Brancato’s fifth book published by Alfred A. Knopf. This novel fits in with Brancato’s other books that have been written for young people. She is noted for writing stories based on her own childhood experiences (such as Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, 1975) and her adult work as a teacher (as in Winning, 1977). One of her goals has been to write stories that challenge young readers to respond personally to dilemmas faced by her characters. For example, “would life still be worth living if you lost movement in your body? How far should you go to influence a brother who has chosen to follow a belief you disapprove of? What would you do if a once-beloved grandmother lost touch with reality?” Her books are written to ask questions rather than provide answers.
Thus, Come Alive at 505—written after Brancato gained hands-on experience as a teacher of English, journalism, and creative writing, and as the mother of two sons—has contributed to the genre of juvenile fiction by providing challenging questions and not answers for those who read the book, whether juveniles or adults.