This is another by Phoebe Stone, that I picked out after I LOVED the Romeo and Juliet Code. This one was especially appealing because it takes place in VA, just outside Charlottesville, one of my favorite VA towns. The story is a sweet look at a middle school crush as well as the hardships of being unique at this age. Jessie Lou is a tomboy with a crush on Conrad Parker Smith the most popular boy in 6th grade. Jessie Lou is of course a wonderful girl who just wants the freedom to be who she is without judgement or comparisons to her lovely (on the outside) older sister. The story is a nice break from the angst of so many children's and teen books, as it portrays love, self doubt, and the search for self experienced at this age. Phoebe Stone's greatest talent is the way she describes normal feelings and experiences in a way that makes them feel special as they do for the individual who experiences them, and not as if this is what EVERYONE goes through. Being able to identify with Jessie Lou will make a reader feel she is a kindred spirit, but not as if his/her experiences are mundane and insignificant. I intend to read more of Phoebe Stone for her beautiful portrayals of childhood experiences.
