*This middle-grade novel came to me via the publisher. I was intrigued by the cover and title, but didn't know anything about the story. I went into the story with great anticipation and recently finished with great satisfaction.
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1. *Meet Jeanne Ann and Cal. They come from opposite sides of the country and from two very different worlds.
2. *Jeanne Ann and her mother pack up their belongings into their orange van and head from Chicago to San Francisco.
3. *Cal has just gotten in trouble at school for his display of "art". His mother isn't sure what to do with him anymore.
4. *Jeanne Ann ends up living across the street from Cal's impressive home; in her orange van.
5. *Jeanne Ann tries everything in her power to help her mother land a job in the new city, while Cal does everything he can to help both his new friend and himself as they both head toward seventh grade.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1. *The plot was unique, fresh, and thought-provoking.
2. *Cal and Jeanne Ann were original, human, and heart-warming.
3. *I enjoyed reading about both these characters, how they came to know each other, and how they affected the lives of their new friends.
4. *The story tackles some very important and real-life issues such as poverty, homelessness, and employment. Although these are heavy topics, the author presented them in a kid-friendly fashion.
5. *As much as I enjoyed the story, I did find myself losing a bit of interest toward the because the novel is quite long at almost 400 pages.
Who Should Read It:
*Because of the length of the story and the pace of the plot, I would recommend this new novel to readers in grades five and above. I also believe the subject matter would be better appreciated by middle-school readers. The story has a lot to offer the young reader. Happy Reading!
Rating: 4 STARS out of 5 Stars
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