Talent by B. Lynn Goodwin

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic fiction

Source: I purchased a copy

 

This book is by far one of the best  I have read this summer. I can't wait to talk this up to my students and recommend it to our media specialist and the other teachers in my department. Let me tell you about this beautiful book.

Sandee Mason is a young girl whose brother is missing in Afghanistan. Diego, her neighbor and former seventh-grade boyfriend, is the only one who hasn't treated her differently since they received the news.  Encouraged by her brother's voice, she auditions for the school play, "Oklahoma." Is she running away from or to something?

As I read, I journeyed with Sandee as she tried to find her place in her new world.  I won't tell any more of the plot than that because I don't want to spoil anything.

This is an emotional read because of the situation Sandee and her family are in. It is emotional because of the behind-the-scenes drama Sandee finds herself in with the play's cast members.

This is so much more than a coming-of-age story. This story rings so true. You have a variety of relatable characters. All of them have their own hopes, dreams, quirks, and issues. Sometimes we focus so much on our own issues that we don't see others around us hurting the way we are. This story deals with teen drinking and alcoholism, grief, friendship, and family relationships. 

This author has written a book that will draw you in and hold you until the last sentence. Like I said before, this is one of the best books I have read all summer. I want to shout that from top of the world.