2011 National Book Award Finalist | A 2013 Beehive YA Fiction Nominee
Written by Gary D. Schmidt
The main character in this story is one from Gary Schmidt’s previous book The Wednesday Wars. Doug Swieteck has never had anything that didn’t belong to someone else first and he also has the reputation of being a jerk. His family did not have much money and Doug’s father’s bad temper and abuse towards his family didn’t help the situation. So when his father was fired for yelling and cussing out the boss, he came home and announced to the family that they were moving. Doug and his family moved to upstate New York to a town named Marysville. Doug thinks it is a stupid town and as he is checking out the library he meets a girl named Lily Spicer. Lily does not let Doug intimidate her; in fact she tells him that her father will give him a job delivering groceries, which Doug takes. Doug visits the library every day and goes to the 2nd floor to look at a book with pictures drawn by the artist John Audubon. Doug thinks about the way the pictures are drawn and makes friends with one of the librarians that help’s to bring out a talent that Doug has been reluctant to expose.
I really enjoyed this story, you laugh and cry as you get to know why Doug has had such a difficult life and also see the people who reach out to Doug and help to bring out the best in him. This book would be good for 4th grade students and up.
Review by Marjorie Briggs, Oquirrh Hills Elem. Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4+
Okay for Now
Written by Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion Books
360 pages
Release Date: April 5, 2011
ISBN: 9780547152608 (hardcover)
