I picked this up from my school library before school ended. My teaching partner had been declaring lots of "Independent Reading" time and I invariably NEVER had a book. Sure, I had a handful of "Encyclopedia Brown" books in my room, but I teach math and my classroom library is lacking "real" novels.
This book is also a DCF Nominee for next year and I always try to read as many as possible...or at least more than my teaching partner can!
I had happened upon Mrs. Stead's incredible 2009 novel "When You Reach Me" and LOVED it. I decided to give this a chance.
While not as engaging or compelling for me as "When You Reach Me", the story is strong, none-the-less. Some of the major themes from "Reach" are here, but it is a switch of genres...yet only subtly so. Mrs. Stead has a great handle on the trials and tribulations of adolescents, as well as the lengths we all go to in order to protect ourselves and those we love. There is lots of humor and exploration of friendship and family that ring true. There is a little bit of a mystery/twist that fits nicely and feels organic.
It is a quick read. I really don't think it took me more than a total of 90 minutes to finish.
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What's The Cephalopod Coffeehouse all about? Let's ask The Squid himself!
"The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you've finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same. In this way, we'll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers."
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