Thomas Scotto

I read this after watching the 2019 ALA Awards. This was an honor book for the Mildred L. Bathchelder award (outstanding children's book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States). I don't think I understood the book. Is it a lost in translation kind of thing? For a second I wondered if Jerome might be an imaginary friend -why else would his dad get angry that he has a close best friend? And was it hinting at gay relationship? They're too young for hormones, and the innocent crushes of small children doesn't have the intense vibes that this book did. I didn't get it. It struck me more as weird than cute or charming. Every day is for Jerome, he dreams of Jerome, he forgets his parents. It's a little much for a kid. It'd be a little much for an adult. Shrug.… (mer)

Raphael has a special friendship with Jerome, because Jerome always knows the right thing to say or do to warm Raphael's heart.

I really wanted to like this book but I'm afraid it fell short for me. It starts out strong by showing how the boys have a close relationship and it doesn't matter if they don't always fall into traditional gender roles (e.g., Raphael notes how Jerome is strong, even if he doesn't like to play soccer).

But then it sort of breaks down from there. I get that the author was trying to show a positive LGBT relationship, but I think these children are just far too young to have their whole day centered around one person only.

In that vein, while the parents' reaction isn't necessarily A+, I'm not exactly thrilled by Raphael declaring "I forget my mom and dad. I think only about Jerome, who I know by heart." Again, it's great that the boys have a strong friendship that cannot be severed, but I do think it's a bit much to focus one's entire attention on a single individual.

In addition, from a plotting perspective, there isn't really much of one here. The author meanders into a long bit about how Raphael goes to his room to think up the perfect gift for Jerome... but then never gets or makes a gift, just ends with saying how he loves Jerome, which he's already said right in the beginning. That just felt like a balloon imploding, instead of a resolved ending.

I read this book several times -- by myself, with a child, and with another adult -- and every time it just did not do it for me. I would love to see more LGBT titles for young children, but this isn't one I would recommend.… (mer)