Review Detail

This book is packed with laughter, courage, and friendship from the first page until the last. Alice has just relocated to Sinkville, SC from her cloudy home in Seattle. Her dad has a new job at the local paper mill; her mom has locked herself away in her room, and her brother James keeps running off to the lake, leaving Alice behind. Being born with Albinism and Nystagmus, Alice is legally blind. Legally, but not completely. The only place she can get to and from (with the help of her old dog Tooter) is the library.
It isn’t until Alice’s mom tells her that she’s going to go to a special school for the blind that Alice decides she needs to learn how to be independent (and not different). Entering the town’s "Sinkville Success Stories" contest feels like the perfect way to start. What begins as a way for Alice to learn the layout of her new home ends up being the perfect way for her to make new friends and find her own voice.

What I loved about this book was the way Beth Vrabel handled her diverse characters. While Alice is indeed the main character, there were so many wonderful side stories that Alice captured in her journey to discover Sinkville. People had their own voice, triumphs and struggles.

One of my favorite characters was Alice’s mom. She struggles with depression throughout the book, but rather than avoid talking about her mental illness, the entire family has many discussions about depression, how it manifests, and how it isn’t a quick fix. Their mom is honest about her struggle, and in turn, both Alice and her brother James are able to be honest and open about their anger and fear as they watch their mom battle depression. This is probably one of the healthiest books I’ve ever read when it comes to families talking about their feelings with one another. It was beautiful to witness.

Depression and Albinism are just a few of the things that stand out in this book; there is also a great scene that includes a discussion of Sinkville’s part in the Civil Rights movement. Alice’s best friend Kerica is able to express how she still feels the effect of looking different in a small town. The town comes together to remind everyone that Sinkville is proud of its history supporting all people and offering a safe place for everyone, no matter what they look like.

That’s the beautiful thing about this book: everyone feels like they are too different to have a “home.” By naming and discussing their feelings and struggles, Alice and her friends don’t feel so alone and they’re able to make Sinkville a little bit more like home they'd hoped for.

There were some points where the plot seemed to jump ahead and skip some important details, but the gaps were eventually filled in as the story went along. The humor in this book is nothing short of wonderful, and both Alice and Kerica have that preteen sensibility that makes this book shine.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has felt alone and different. Alice’s story is a powerful example that our differences can make us stronger and that friendships and family can grow into something unexpectedly beautiful.