Review Detail

Grand & Humble is something new and entirely different from Brent Hartinger (Geography Club). The reader alternately follows the paths of Harlan and Manny, two boys who at first seem completely different.

Harlan is the son of a prominent politician and his calculating wife. He often feels like a pony trotted out for display at dinner events. But, to the outside world he seems like the perfect, popular kid.

Manny, on the other hand, is a quiet, kind of geeky kid whos best friend is a deaf girl named Elsa. He and his dad live alone and get along really well, even if they arent exactly well off.

But the two of them do have something in common after all panic attacks and nightmares. Premonitions of their own death. Its gotten to the point that each of them find their terrors (both real and imagined) are interfering with their lives. They try different things (including a psychic), never quite meeting up, though Manny meets Harlans best friend Ricky (while a jock, hes also gay and a nice, affable guy with problems of his own) and Harlan makes the acquaintance of Elsa.

The reader, while still piecing the puzzle together, will come across a surprise ending that will shock them&.then make them go back and read through the book again, to look for all those little clues that were there all along. No problem, really&Harlan and Manny are both relatable characters and easy to read about.

Recommended for readers aged 12 and up, boys or girls, and readers of any age looking for something a little different from a great writer.