Rebecca Beatty

Reading Assignment
LIS 60626
15 April 2016
Michael L. Printz Award Winners
Connelly, Jennifer (2003). A Northern Light. Orlando, FL: Harcourt. 389 pages.
2004 Honor
4Q 4P S
Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey promised her mother that shed look after her father and younger
sisters, but dreams of independence and adventure. With the help of her supportive teacher,
Mattie and her best friend Weaver plan to attend college in New York City, paying their way by
working at the Glenmore Hotel. However, this plan seems uncertain after Grace Brown, a guest
at the Glenmore, mysteriously drowns after giving Mattie a bundle of letters to burn. The letters
lead Mattie to believe that Graces death was not an accident. Should she come forward with the
evidence, even if it means getting in trouble with her employer and going against Graces final
wishes? Will Mattie ever make it to the big city, or should she settle down and settle for a life
with the attractive but somewhat dull Lawton?
This engaging piece of historical fiction is based on the true events that inspired An American
Tragedy. The story has something for everyone: a coming-of-age story, romance, history, and a
murder mystery. Teens will be able to relate to the character of Mattie, who struggles to find the
balance between her desire for independence and her responsibility to her family.
Anderson, Laurie Halse (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. 198 pages.
2000 Honor
4Q 4P S
After calling the police to break up an end-of-summer party, Melinda begins her freshman year
of high school an outcast. Speaking up was the cause of Melindas trouble, so she decides not to
share the dark thoughts that begin to swirl around in her head. But, when one of her former
friends is in trouble, Melinda must make the difficult decision to speak.
This book deals with what are, unfortunately, increasingly common issues for teensto the point
that the once-shocking reveal (Melinda was raped at the party) seems almost obvious in the first
few chapters. The aftermath, however, still rings true today. Melindas experiences with
depression, isolation, feelings of guilt, and difficulty communicating with her parents are
recognizable to teens coming from a wide variety of backgrounds.
The writing style also contributes to the timelessness of the story. Andersons voice is never
trendy, but truthful, and while the content may be rich, the text is very readable. Teens who can
overlook the dated cover art will find an honest and engaging look at pertinent issues.

Nelson, Jandy (2014). Ill Give You the Sun. New York, NY: Dial Books. 371 pages.
2015 Winner
4Q 4P S
Twins Noah and Jude tell their story from their own perspectiveNoah at age thirteen, and Jude
at sixteen. The two have always been extremely close, despite their different personalities. Jude
is popular, outgoing, and a daredevil, while Noah is withdrawn, focused on his artwork, and
quietly falling in love with the neighbor boy. Three years later, Jude tells a very different story.
Not only have the twins roles reversedNoah is hanging out with a popular crowd and Jude is
studying diligently at a private art schoolbut the twins now barely speak to one another.
Between the two narratives, the reader begins to piece together the untold story: What happened
during those three pivotal years?
The quality of writing is superb. Nelsons use of language, particularly when writing from
Noahs perspective, is creative and colorful and fresh. The characters are deep and complex, as
the circumstances the family faces affect each person in different ways: their mothers
favoritism, affair, and death; the art school application process; their grandmothers supernatural
beliefs and legacy. The mystery aspect of the storythe gap between the two narrativesdraws
in the reader. There are a few minor issues with the story. At times, the subplot about the twins
grandmother seemed to drag a little. The ending was also a bit of a letdown. After 300 pages of
messy, real, human emotions and conflict, Nelson attempts to neatly tie up the loose ends.
Unfortunately, this looks like normalizing disturbing behavior and circumstances. For example,
the twins mother was emotionally unstable and manipulative, pitting the twins against one
another, and this was never fully addressed. However, this may be another instance of allowing
the reader to fill in the blanks.
Bray, Libba (2009). Going Bovine. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. 480 pages.
2010 Winner.
3Q 3P S
Cameron's sudden, odd behavior at school leads to his diagnosis with a fatal disease and a wish:
"I wish to live." An angel (or possibly, a hallucination), Dulcie, sends Cameron on a mission to
look for signs leading to a mysterious Dr. X.--and a cure. Along with his friend Gonzo and a
sentient garden gnome named Balder, he heads out on a road trip, meeting trippy hitchhikers,
terrifying snowglobers, and controlling cult members. As Cameron drifts from his hospital bed to
his adventures on the road, the reader is left wondering--is any of this real?
This book falls into the category of "you either get it, or you don't." While some teens will love
puzzling out the deep inner workings of Cameron's mind (or is it real life?), others will be put off
by the long and, at times, hard to follow story. The characters are fun and true to life, and there is
plenty of potential to delve deeper into Gonzo's life and personality (his controlling mother, his
time in the hospital, the abrupt realization that he is gay), but Cameron seems to be the only
character to develop as the story progresses. Overall, this is a great book for committed readers
willing to do their share of thinking and imagining.

Whaley, John Corey (2011). Where Things Come Back. New York, NY: Athenaeum Books for
Young Readers. 228 pages.
2012 Winner
4Q 4P S
Cullen's younger brother disappears suddenly, just as a rare woodpecker is reportedly spotted in
the area. As the small town is consumed with woodpecker-mania, Cullen deals with love and
friendship and tries to hold his crumbling family together.
At the same time, on the other side of the globe, a young missionary named Benton Sage seeks to
influence the people of Ethiopia while losing his own faith. While the two stories seem entirely
separate, they begin to entwine in a most surprising way.
This is a very well-written book. While it covers themes of love, death, family, friendship, grief,
and loss, and connects the stories of a series of seemingly unrelated characters, Whaley's voice is
succinct and honest. There are mysterious elements (what does Benton Sage have to do with the
story of Cullen's family? What role does the Lazarus woodpecker play in all of this?) and
multiple layers to the story, but the narrative is never confusing or rambling. Teens will be
genuinely and pleasantly surprised by the climax that ties everything together.
Marchetta, Melina (2006). Jellicoe Road. New York, NY: HarperCollins. 419 pages.
2009 Winner
4P 4Q S
Taylors life prior the day her mother left her on Jellicoe Road is a complete mystery. Why did
her mother leave her? Who was her father? And was it truly a coincidence that Hannah found
Taylor so quickly and brought her to live at the boarding school? As Taylor puzzles over these
questions, she finds herself drawn to the story Hannah is secretly writing about five teenagers
who feel strangely familiar. When Hannah suddenly disappears, Taylor questions everything she
thought she knew about the school, her friends, her family, and herself.

Jellicoe Road draws the reader in to Taylors mystery, occasionally dropping hints along the way.
While there is clearly a connection between Taylor and the five teens in Hannahs story, the
pieces do not come together completely until the very end. Only a few minor points distract from
the rest of the storyfor example, the war subplot seemed hugely important at the beginning
of the book and suddenly petered out. While the characters are carefully developed throughout
the story and relationships seem to grow slowly and naturally, the ending with Taylor and Jonah
Griggss sudden intense relationship seems like too much too soon. However, these barely
detract from a wonderful and engaging story. YALSA Amazing Audiobook for Young Adults
Rowell, Rainbow (n.d.). Eleanor and Park (audiobook). Listening Library. 540 min.
2014 Top Ten
5Q 5P S
Park has never quite fit in with his friendshe has different tastes in music and clothes, and,
with a Korean mom, he even looks different. Eleanor is bullied for her wild red hair and patchedup clothes, and deals with a dysfunctional family at home every night. The two are brought
together by their daily bus ride to school, slowly beginning a relationship as Eleanor begins to
open up to Park. Eleanor knows her stepfather would not approve, and Parks parents are wary
about the situation, but the two become inseparable despite these obstacles. In the end, Park is
faced with the dilemma of helping Eleanor stay safe, even if it means she wont stay with him.
Every teen will find some way to relate to either Eleanor or Parkevery teen has some way that
they stand out, whether they see it as a positive or a negative. And, while this story has the
empowering message of love and acceptance, its also heartbreakingly realistic. Eleanor has
problems that Park is not able to fix, and, while she and her family find safety by the end of the
book, these problems do not become magically solved. However, the strength and character
Eleanor and Park each show throughout the story is inspiring to any reader.
The audiobook showcased the unique voices of Eleanor and Park as the narrative wove their
stories together. Highly recommended.
Margaret A. Edwards Award
Myers, Walter Dean (1999). Monster. New York, NY: HarperCollins. 281 pages.
4Q 4P S
Sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon feels like he's walked into the middle of a strange movie. After
being seen entering and exiting a drugstore, Steve is on trial as an accomplice to robbery and
murder of the drugstore owner. Suddenly, Steve is seen as a criminal--or the prosecutor calls him,
a monsterby a group of students watching the trial for a field trip, by his own attorney, even by
his father, who weeps when he visits Steve in prison. As the trial unfolds, Steve tells his own
story in the style of a screenplay: Monster: The Story of My Miserable Life. Interjected
throughout are Steves struggles during his daily life in prison.

Despite the fact that this book was first published seventeen years ago, the story is still relevant
to current events. New stories appear daily of police brutality toward African Americans or other
bias evident in the legal system throughout the country. Monster is a wonderful way to open up a
difficult conversation: How does Steves appearance affect the way he is seen by the jury? How
does Miss OBrien see him, and how does this affect her jobmaking the jury see Steve
differently than she does? Myers gives the reader the verdict, but it is never fully clear how
trustworthy a narrator Steve iswill the reader agree with the jury, or with Miss OBrien?

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction

Sheinkin, Steve (2015). Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam
War. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press. 370 pages.
2016 Winner
4Q 3P S
The story of Daniel Ellsburg, patriotic Cold Warrior turned government enemy, who uncovered
the Pentagon Papers detailing the unknown history of the Vietnam War. Sheinkin presents
Ellsburg, along with United States presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson, in all
their gloryand all of their flaws. This was a fascinating narrative, capturing the tension in an
ongoing situation where there truly seemed to be no good decisions to make.
While teens might not choose to read this book outside of a school requirement, they will quickly
find themselves drawn into the story. Most Dangerous provides insight into the background of
the Vietnam War and gives a clearer picture of the conflict among Americans at home and on the
front. Sheinkin ties Ellsbergs story to Edward Snowden, but the issues presented here continue
to be pertinent ones that can spark discussion among teenswhen does confidentiality for the
sake of the countrys safety become safety from accountability for the nations leaders? When
does questioning the governments actions make for a better citizen? An important read as young
people become more involved in politics.
Sheinkin, Steve (2010). The Notorious Benedict Arnold. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.
337 pages.
2012 Winner.
5Q 3P S J
Benedict Arnold is remembered as American historys most famous traitor, but there is much
more to his story than selling the West Point plans to the British. Although he was unpredictable
and somewhat of a loose cannon, Arnold was the leader of an intense march to Quebec and was
later hailed as the hero of the Battle of Saratoga. His story is interwoven throughout other wellknown historical events, such as the capture of Fort Ticonderoga (fighting alongsideand
sometimes in spite ofEthan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys). Sheinkin uncovers the
lesser-known side of Arnolds story, while still portraying him as the real and flawed individual
he wasintense, proud, reckless, brave, and often easily offended.
Sheinkin includes quotes from letters and journal entries, many from famous founding fathers
and important figures in the American Revolution. Its especially intriguing to read in
Washingtons own words his request, made just before Arnolds treason, that Arnold ride into
battle beside him. Though this is an accurate and fact-filled account, it is a very readable
narrative that will appeal to a wide audience.

Anderson, M. T. (2015). Symphony for the City of the Dead. Somerville, MA: Candlewick
Press. 456 pages.
2016 Finalist
4Q 2P S
Symphony for the City of the Dead weaves together seamlessly the story of Dmitri Shostakovich
and the story of the city of Leningrad, and shows the profound and powerful impact
Shostakovichs symphonies had on both. From the Russian Revolution and birth of Leningrad
during his childhood, to Stalins takeover and the implementation of his brutal Five-Year Plan, to
the horrors of World War II and the invasion of Nazi Germany, Shostakovichs symphonies
provided a commentary on social and political events and roused the people of Soviet Russia.
The music was considered a dangerous weapon to be used either for or against the government
and its military.
This book takes a powerful, sometimes even disturbing, look at the conditions faced by the
people of Leningrad and the sacrifices they made to maintain the culture and art that represented
the city. While the horrors of cannibalism and hunger that made musicians lose consciousness
throughout the symphony may be too much for some readers, they are horrors that real people
lived through and cannot be forgotten. The story of Leningrad is sure to spark discussion on
politics (the causes and effects of the Revolution, how impossible it became to stand up to Stalin,
the United States view on Soviet Russia and Communism before, during, and after World War
II) and history, making it excellent required reading for social studies.
Van Wagenen, Maya (2014). Popular: A memoir. New York, NY: Dutton Books. 259 pages.
2015 winner.
4Q 4P J
Maya Van Wagenen takes an honest look at the seemingly undefinable concept of popularity and
the awkwardness that is eighth grade in this early memoir. For the entirety of the school year,
Maya decides to follow the instruction in Betty Cornells 1951 guide to teenage popularity. As
she experiments with wearing granny clothes and makeup, improving her posture, and starting
conversations with students she doesnt know, Maya is constantly pushed outside of her comfort
zone. Through this project, Maya reinvents popularityalthough she is well-known and wellliked at school, she never gives up on the friendships that matter most to her, nor does she
compromise her own principles.
While most eighth graders wont be wearing pantyhose and pilgrim shoes to school, young
readers will come away from this memoir inspired. The chapter in which Maya sits at a different
lunch table each day is an excellent example of what an incredible difference reaching out to
people can make. Interviews with other students attempting to define popularity in their own
words make the book even more relatable. Throughout most of the book, Maya writes like an
extremely eloquent eighth grader. The only minor issue in the book is that some of the
interactions with her family were less believable, as it seemed at times that her mother cared
more about the secret project and getting published than Maya did. Overall, a wonderful pick
for students in middle school.

YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers

Knapp, Andrew (2014). Find Momo. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books. 142 pages.
Nonfiction (2016)
3Q 3P M
Andrew Knapp photographs his border collie, Momo, inside, under, around, and above a wide
variety of beautiful settings. The photographs themselves are wonderfully artistic, but readers of
all ages will enjoy finding Momos face peeking out in the most unexpected places. There is a
fairly even mix of easier-to-find shots and those that are slightly more challenging.
This is technically marketed as an adult book, but teens might find it too similar to familiar
childrens books (e.g., Wheres Waldo? and I Spy) to be fully interested. There are only 2-3
photos that will present a true challenge to older readers. While this is an easy read, teens may be
reluctant to read this title for those reasons.

Carroll, Emily (2014). Through the Woods. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Fiction (2015)
4Q 3P S R G
Emily Carroll has written five beautifully horrifying short stories: Our Neighbors House, A
Ladys Hands are Cold, His Face All Red, My Friend Janna, and The Nesting Place. Most of the
stories are left hauntingly open-ended, leaving the reader to only imagine what happens next.
Some stories are more fully developed, and each seems to grow in quality as the book goes on.
The illustrations, however, are the true storytellers. They are colorful, gorgeous, and slightly
disturbing.
This book is definitely appealing to horror and graphic novel fans. It will pull in new readers to
both of these genres, although some may be put off by the spook factor. The illustrations are
definitely the biggest draw here, from the front cover to the final page. As a quick and relatively
easy read with an intriguing storyline, this book is an excellent choice for reluctant readers.

William C. Morris YA Debut Award

Foley, Jessie Ann (2014). The Carnival at Bray. Ashford, CT: Elephant Rock Books. 240 pages.
Finalist, 2015
4Q 4P S
Maggies whole world spins upside down when she moves to Ireland from Chicago with her
mom, new stepfather, and little sister. Now she must navigate a new school, make new friends
and meet new boysall while her somewhat dysfunctional family faces their same old problems.
Maggies uncle Kevin is her hero, but when he visits Ireland over Christmas it becomes evident
that his drug addiction is severely affecting him. His sudden death inspires Maggie and her crush
Eoin to fulfill his final advice to Maggie by taking a trip to Rome to see Nirvana in concert.
This book was hard to put down, with its perfect mix of relatable characters in slightly
unbelievable situations. Even the minor characters have fully developed personalities and
motivation. The more difficult scenes were very well-written. I especially appreciated how
Maggies paying homage to her uncle was never confused with portraying his actions (drug use,
suicide) as good or right. Maggies date with Paul, while a shorter scene in the story, showed an
unfortunately common feeling for girls, not realizing that saying no is an option. Eoin presented
a clear contrast in thoughtfully looking out for Maggie. The ending (Maggie staying on to live in
Ireland by herself) was a bit of a surprise, and seemed unrealistic after the honesty of the rest of
the story, but this is a minor quibble. Some language throughout, nothing too graphic, but most
appropriate for older teens. The cover art perfectly reflects Maggies grunge style.
Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Hicks, Faith Erin (2013). The Adventures of Superhero Girl. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Books.
106 pages.
2014 Top Ten
4Q 3P M J S G
Recounts the origin story and everyday adventures of a superhero: getting dragged to a party by
her roommate, searching for her arch-nemesis, and dealing with her gorgeous and much more
successful older brother. Superhero Girl is smart and funny, but constantly finds herself falling
into relatable predicaments. Hickss book is a hilariously sarcastic take on the superhero genre.
A wonderful, quick read that will definitely appeal to teens, especially those who have trouble
relating to the popular, party-going crowd. Woven throughout the book is a message celebrating
the socially awkward, geeky, and introverted. This is a versatile title, with a reading level great
for children ages 10 and above, but older teens will still appreciate the story, humor, and
incredible illustrations.

OMalley, Bryan Lee (2014). Seconds. New York, NY: Ballantine Books. 321 pages.
2015 Top Ten
4Q 4P S G
What if you could go back in time and change your biggest mistake? Katie, an up-and-coming
chef, gets the opportunity when a mysterious girl named Lis leaves her instructions in the middle
of the night:
1. Write your mistake
2. Ingest one mushroom
3. Go to sleep
4. Wake anew.
After the success of changing her first mistake, Katie decides to change more, despite Lis's angry
warnings. But things begin to go awry when fixing one mistake causes another, and Katie's life
as she knows it begins to fall apart. Will she ever be able to return to her old, flawed, not-reallyso-bad life?
This graphic novel is sure to be a hit with teens. The illustrations are intense--sometimes funny,
sometimes horrifying--and eye-catching. Katie is a relatable character; everyone has moments in
their life that they wish they could change, and the feeling of being entirely out of control of your
life is a common one. A great read for a graphic novel newbie.
Manga recommended in text, p. 33
Mori, Kaoru (2009). A Brides Story, Vol. 1. New York, NY: Yen Press. 190 pages.
3Q 3P S G
In 19th century Asia, twenty-year-old Amir Halgal has just married a twelve-year old boy named
Karluk. Living with Karluk and his family means many changes for Amir, who often shocks the
family with her appearance and behavior. As Amir tries to live up to her new familys
expectations, she impresses them with her skills in horseback riding, hunting, and cooking, and,
slowly, begins to develop feelings for her young husband. When Amirs younger sister suddenly
dies after her own marriage, her family decides Amir will take her place. It is up to Karluk and
his family to protect Amir in her new home.
While this first novel is only a fraction of Amir and Karluks story, there are many references to
history and culture involved in the plot. The most obvious cultural difference is Karluks age,
which is never fully addressed in this volume. Amirs feelings for Karluk seem more motherly
than anything else, as evidenced by her panicking over his cold. The author writes a brief note at
the end, explaining her interest in this period. The illustrations are beautifully detailed, especially
the clothing and tapestries. It was difficult at times to tell the female characters apart, as their
faces were very similar, but a helpful page at the end of the book depicted all of the characters
with their names. Note that there is one page where Amir is topless; this might be an issue for
younger readers. This first volume leaves the reader eager to find out what happens next.

Young Adult Literature (Chance), Novels Based on Fairy Tale Characters (p. 90)
Meyer, Marissa (2012). Cinder (Lunar Chronicles series). New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends.
390 pages.
Fairy tale from text, chap. 4
4Q 4P J S
A science fiction take on the traditional Cinderella story. Cinder is a cyborg, an orphan, and wellknown for her mechanical abilities, even by the prince. After Cinders guardian succumbs to the
plague, his wife and older daughter treat her like less than a person. A visit to the junkyard
exposes Peony, Cinders younger stepsister and best human friend, to the deadly plague, and her
stepmother believes Cinder is to blame. She volunteers Cinder for plague research, a task no one
has yet survived. There, a dangerous secret about Cinders true identity is revealedone with the
potential to help her people, but also to turn the dangerous Lunar queen against her.
Although this story is left open-ended for the sequel, Scarlet, the plot is sound throughout,
lacking the padding that many other series seem to have. Cinder may be36% cyborg, but she is
also a realistic and likeable character. Readers will relate to her feelings of being an outcast and
struggling with her identity. The addition of sci-fi elements (similar to X-men in some ways) to
the well-known fairy tale opens the story up to a much wider range of readers, even down to the
attention-grabbing cover showing Cinders mechanical leg. An excellent example of fractured
fairy tales done right.
From VOYA Magazines Transform Your Collection
Clark, Kristin Elizabeth (2013). Freakboy. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. 435 pages.
3Q 3P S
Brendan Chase is the star of his high school wrestling team, loves playing video games, and
sometimes fantasizes about being a girl. Vanessa is his girlfriend, and their relationship is
becoming more serious. Angel is a transsexual woman running a center for LGBTQ kids.
Freakboy intertwines all three of their lives into one poetic story, as Brendan accidentally comes
out as gender fluid.
This book captures some of the feelings and issues surrounding gender identity: Brendan doesnt
want to be ostracized at school and wonders why he feels the way he does. Vanessa is confused
about Brendans feelings for herand, if she is in love with someone who identifies as female,
what implications will it have for her? Angel has overcome ignorance and abuse and struggles to
trust the men in her life. However, the writing could be strongerdoes adding line breaks and
varied spacing transform average prose into a high-quality poem? The story seems to end
abruptly after Brendans classmates find out he is gender fluid. While their initial reaction is
negative, I was left wondering about many of the details to follow. It was as if Brendans story
reflected the issues that many teens face, and left them without any insight as to how things
might get better.

2016 Recipient of the Library of Congress Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature
Yang, Gene Luen (2013). Boxers. New York, NY: First Second. 325 pages.
5Q 4P S G
Little Bao has grown up seeing the effects of missionaries, soldiers, and other foreigners in the
Chinese countryside. Tired of standing by while his family and friends are robbed, beaten, and
taken advantage of, he decides to take action. After training with Master Big Belly at the top of
the mountain, Little Bao learns to harness the power of the gods in his kung fu and leads a band
of his brother-disciples in taking back the land from the "foreign devils." Unfortunately, the fight
is not that simple. Little Bao and the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist encounter
"secondary devils," Chinese people who have converted to Christianity and are living with the
foreigners, and must make the difficult decision: Will they fight to defend their people, even if
that means fighting against their people?
Together with the companion novel, Saints, Gene Yang presents both sides of the Boxer
Rebellion--action, victory and defeat, and emotional conflict. The story and illustrations are
fantastic and engaging, drawing in any reader while simultaneously teaching them about
complex historical and social issues. Yang's passion for the topic is clear and contagious, and
may even lead young readers to seek out further information.
National Book Award 2015 Announcement Young Peoples Literature category
Shusterman, Neal (2015). Challenger Deep. New York, NY: HarperCollins. 308 pages.
5Q 4P S
The story of Caden Bosch, high school student whose behavior is beginning to concern his
parents. And the story of Caden Bosch, artist on a ship headed for Challenger Deep, the deepest
point on Earth. Patterns of similarity between the two worlds begin to emerge as Caden is
checked into the hospital and placed on a regimen of medication. It's difficult at times for the
reader to tell what is real as Caden attempts, and often fails, to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Challenger Deep provides a much-needed picture of something difficult to define. Many teens
struggle with mental illness--both living with it on a daily basis and worrying about how others
might perceive them. While this book is open and honest about the difficulties Caden faces, it
brings the reader to a greater understanding and ability to empathize. The reaction of his parents
(concerned, afraid, wanting to help but not sure how) will ring true to many readers, as well.
There is no clear upbeat, happy ending, but Caden is coming to terms with and learning to
navigate his condition.
Shusterman's writing draws in the reader, and although they must be willing to work a little, they
will be rewarded in the end. The illustrations add to the story what the words cannot describe, in
the same way that Caden uses his drawing to express himself, and, during a group therapy
session, the other patients' feelings. An excellent, timely read.