The historical fiction novel Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos tells the story of the author as a kid, traveling through many of his own experiences, with a mystery added, too. Gantos uses puns, slapstick, and dark humor to make the book a better read and more relatable. Wordplay is a technique Gantos uses throughout the book to entertain and amuse the reader. For example, when Jack accidentally fires the rifle: “‘Oh sweet cheeze-us!’ I wailed, and dropped butt-first onto the table. ‘Ohhh! Cheeze-us-crust.’” (Gantos 10) He uses this as an alternative to cursing, and the pun gives readers a chuckle. Eventually, Jack’s mom gets tired of him fake cursing and tells him off for it. Another kind of humor Gantos uses is slapstick, or superiority