Interesting. ?áShort, but because it's written almost like a play, but sans cohesive narration, it takes a bit longer to read. ?áAlso, marked as Juv. at my library, but the MC is a senior in high school and the ideas (not to mention the structure) are complex, so I'd call it YA. ?áIncludes Reader's Theater guide at end. ?á

I feel like the first read-through reveals less than is there. ?áTo me, a very experienced reader old enough to be Rob's grandmother, the story & characters seemed simple. ?áAnd the main themes are plenty accessible to young readers... though they might need AM radio (and tapes, and pay phones...) explained to them. ?áBut I do think there's more going on that a more patient or sympathetic reader could appreciate. ?áI don't have the motivation to dig deeper... but the book wasn't written with me in mind as the audience.

Some humor, lots of ordinary family drama, lots of love, no dysfunction.

Rob's Mother: ?áForgiving doesn't mean you approve of someone did, ?áIt means you understand why they did it. ?áOnce you understand, it's easier to stop condemning and focus on the present instead...."


" ( )

This was a very short collection of reminiscences of a boy and his mother that loosely wove into a plot. It was an interesting idea, but I didn't really like the result. ( )

This was a very short collection of reminiscences of a boy and his mother that loosely wove into a plot. It was an interesting idea, but I didn't really like the result. ( )

I loved how the focus of the story was the sounds and the words around him. The idea that we are defined by those things that we encounter on a daily basis without even realizing it (a lot of the time) is fantastic. The entire cast was brilliant and I really enjoyed how the different characters were portrayed. The story was a little hard to follow at first, but once I figured out how it was being read, I really enjoyed it. ( )

Would put this as a message book but a good, solid boy-centered book with an interesting enough plot. ( )