Zachary isn’t happy about moving but he didn’t want to stay. The endless fighting is over and his mom is gone. It’s just Zachary and his dad and a new town. Zachary, uncertain and miserable, meets the aggressive Rachel, her brother Teddy, and starts to put together a new life for himself. There are a lot of issues and plot points mixed into this slim middle grade novel. Absent mother, mental disabilities, trumpet music, death, cleaning up a park, friendship, promises, crushes, and more.
Despite the very busy plot, Acampora’s writing brings all the elements together into a cohesive and believable story. The reader can sympathize with and understand the reasoning behind each of the character’s actions.
Verdict: An interesting and fast-paced tween story that introduces ideas about maturity, relationships, and new beginnings in a funny and moving story. Recommended for readers who like realistic fiction.
ISBN: 9781596435483; Published August 2011 by Roaring Brook; ARC received from publisher at ALA Midwinter 2011; Purchased for the library
2 comments:
Does look interesting. Added it to my list to hunt down when it comes out. Thanks!
When I took this galley to book club, the kids were REALLY excited about it - combination of the cover and the word "Spinelli"
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