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.
