It's 1967 and 8th grader Meryl Lee is grieving the tragic accidental death of her best friend. Her parents send her to a fancy boarding school in Maine. At first, Meryl Lee is looked down upon by some of her snobby new classmates. But over the course of the school year, her heart begins to heal and she not only makes friends but alters the culture of the school.

Meryl Lee's storyline hit me as very Anne of Green Gables, so of course, I loved it. But there is a second protagonist (Matt Coffin) that's in more of a crime/thriller novel. At times these two storylines didn't seem to belong in the same book, but it made for a really compelling read overall. When Matt and Meryl Lee meet, it's very satisfying and it begins to make sense why the story naturally belongs to both of them.

I thought this was a middle grade (ages 8 to 12) novel when I checked it out, but it's got a strong teen vibe (The main characters are 13/14 though in my head they seemed like they could be 15/16). There's a teen romance element. There are some truly scary and violent parts. There are numerous literary connections (Grapes of Wrath, The Wizard of Oz, Treasure Island, Jungle Book, Shakespeare). One of the big themes is the way barriers are reinforced between the privileged students at the boarding school and the local teen girls who work there. The Vietnam War hovers in the background. So, yeah, I'd say this is more in the 12 and up range.

I think Gary Schmidt is a brilliant writer. I love how he keeps the emotions of the characters in the center of the story, especially the way he called Meryl Lee's grief "the Blank" as a way to show that even when she was carrying on with her life her grief was a major presence (or absence?). ( )

Heartbreaking and hopeful from page 1 (well, the heartbreak starts on page 2, really), the third book (4th if you count Pay Attention, Carter Jones) of Gary D. Schmidt's 1960's series that includes The Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now continues with the themes of personal growth, self acceptance, friendship, and community. Schmidt takes his young protagonists seriously, and treats them with loving care without reducing them to stereotypes. Meryl Lee's journey of recovery and discovery is painful and funny in turns, and emotionally resonant. ( )

It took a while for Meryl Lee's story to really start, although Matthew's was enticing from the get go, but overall, a wonderful book about grief and friendship. ( )

Meryl Lee's parents send her to a girls' boarding school after the death of her best friend Holling. Matt has been homeless and drifting since being involved in street gang life that killed his best friend Georgie. Traumatized by grief, the two meet by chance. Their stories parallel each other's until they find their way to friendship and healing, and maybe even something more. Gary Schmidt has an unmistakably distinctive voice and style and this book is all of that. As terrific as his writing is though, I can't think of any kids I serve who would read or appreciate it. Sad face emoji. ( )

I wasn't sure I could forgive the author for what he does to Holling (the main character from Wednesday Wars) in the opening pages. I actually screamed, "No!" VERY loudly and had to put the book down for a bit. But Schmidt won me over with this cast of characters. I smiled. I cried. I cheered. I bit my lips in anticipation. Bravo- I loved it and have already bought my grandson his own copy. ( )