Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Megan

In a high school world split between desirables, unnoticed undesirables, and noticed undesirables, Andrea Anderson would have to say she is an unnoticed undesirable. She believes that she is boring and plain. One day, her mom announces that she volunteered Andrea for a job taking care of the reclusive neighbors dog while she is in the hospital. There, she meets Zena, a huge, gentle Saint Bernard who seems to trust anyone. When Honora Menapace comes home from the hospital, Andrea is devastated the one thing she has ever asked for was a dog, and Zena had become her friend. However, the opposite occursinstead of relieving Andrea of the tasks, Honora asks Andrea to become her assistant. You see, Honora confides in Andrea her secret: she has cancer, and she will die soon. Andrea decides to stay, and in the process, learns more about herbs and tea than she could ever imagine. Then one day, Andrea gets to not only witness, but participate and help Honora with an awe inspiring event homemade pottery raku.
Honora introduces Andrea to many of her unique friends, including James, her manic-depressive friend who prefers to have his ups and downs than be normal, and Hughie, who is classified by Crane as a poet who resists the urge to lick centuries-old pottery.
So when Andrea finds Honora dead one day in her bed, she finds out truly who her friends are. And, Andrea learns more about herself in those few weeks than she had known in her entire life.
Crane brings a wonderful message to her story, showing readers that people are not always exactly how they appear to be on the outside. In fact, Cranes character Honora tells Andrea, Andrea Anderson, you are this and so much more. This, out of the entire book, is my favorite quote because Crane leaves a powerful realization for the readers we are so much more than what we think we are, and we can do so much more than what is expected.