Book Notes

Hooray! My reading slump is over. I just finished reading the most remarkable book. I am so glad the girls in book club chose this one. It won the Newbery Honor this year, and after reading The Higher Power of Lucky, I can’t believe it didn’t win the Newbery Medal. This one was so much better.

Catherine is 12, and her younger brother David has autism. She is frustrated with people staring at him and making fun of him. She gives him guidelines (rules) for everday life to help him get along better so that he blends in more. For both of their sakes.

Over the summer while her best friend is in California, a new girl just her age moves in across the street, and Catherine meets Jason. Her new neighbor Kristi is popular and pretty. Catherine was hoping they could be close friends, but can they when Kristi seems so awkward around people with disabilities?

Jason, is one of my favorite characters. Catherine meets him at the therapy clinic. Jason is wheelchair bound, and can’t talk. He has to point to words in his communication book. They develop a friendship, but one that Catherine only wants to have at the clinic. Can she learn to be friends with him outside of the clinic? In spite of the stares?

I absolutley adore this book! There is nothing fake about the characters. They act like real people. Nice setting too, on the coast of Maine. Definitely a must read.