Friday, November 11, 2011

A Million Miles from Boston by Karen Day –OPTIONAL

Day, Karen A Million Miles from Boston, 224 pgs. Wendy Lamb Books, 2011. $13.75. (Language-G Violence-G; Sexual Content-G)
Lucy, her dad, her brother Bucky, and her faithful dog Superior all go to their beachside cabin for the summer. Although it’s been many years, Lucy still grieves for her dead mother, and the cabin brings up old memories. Part of her excited is that she anticipated relieving some of their family traditions and having a typical summer. But things are changing, her nemesis from school Ian, now has a cabin in the summer community, her dad is seriously dating a woman, and when the summer is over Lucy must start middle school.
While I found the story and the emotions of Lucy relevant for the target age group –I was bored. Lucy isn’t a memorable character and is hard to bond with. Worst of all, she spends quite a bit of the summer babysitting. This combination was really bad for me. I think today's student’s may have a hard time sticking out such a story too. I don’t think its ultimate message was important enough to force students into a read of this through class work either. But if your library needs an incredibly wholesome story about a growing up, this might work for you.
Elementary –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

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