One summer,
after a long plane ride
and a rotten bad year
I went to Grandma Jo's.
It was my mother's idea.
Jett, what you need is a change of scenery.
I think she needed a change of scenery, too.
One without me.
Because that rotten bad year?
That was my fault.
Thus begins the poignant story, told in free verse, of eleven-year-old
Jett. Last year, Jett and his mother had moved to a new town for a fresh
start after his father went to jail. But Jett soon learned that fresh
starts aren't all they're cracked up to be. When he befriended a boy
with a difficult home life, Jett found himself in a cycle of bad
decisions that culminated in the betrayal of a friend - a shameful
secret he still hasn't forgiven himself for. Will a summer spent with
his unconventional grandmother help Jett find his way to redemption?
Writing in artfully crafted free-verse vignettes, Heather Smith uses a
deceptively simple style to tell a powerful and emotionally charged
story. The engaging narrative and the mystery of Jett's secret keep the
pages turning and will appeal to both reluctant and avid readers. This
captivating book offers a terrific opportunity for classroom discussions
about the many ways to tell a story and how a small number of carefully
chosen words can have a huge impact. It also showcases the positive
character traits of empathy resilience, courage, and responsibility.
