About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is feeling overwhelmed by the 'boring' chaos of family life or struggling to find their own voice amidst the noise of siblings and friends. It is a perfect choice for a child who feels like their summer or their life is unremarkably average, only to discover that everyone, including themselves, carries a complex inner world and hidden stories. Through the relatable journal of Mary Lou Finney, the story explores the shift from self-centered childhood to the empathetic awareness of early adolescence. The narrative balances the hilarity of a large, loud household with the more serious discovery of a family secret involving Mary Lou's cousin. Parents will appreciate the way Sharon Creech uses Mary Lou's summer assignment to read The Odyssey as a clever framework for the protagonist's own 'epic' journey. It is a lighthearted yet deeply grounded coming-of-age story that validates the frustrations of teen life while encouraging a wider perspective on the lives of those around them.
