Review Detail

Reader reviewed by mearley

I had a hard time relating to Will, the main character of this book.  Maybe his two biggest passions--skateboarding and science--are not particularly interesting to me.  However, when Will is not contemplating a ride down Dead Man's Hill or the destruction of the proton, he's a pretty typical 9th grader.  His little sister annoys and embarrasses him; his best friend, Mi-Su, suddenly seems strangely kissable.

My favorite character was Will's friend BT, who has a pretty laid back attitude toward life.  The title comes from BT's (possibly intentional) misquote of Robert Frost: And smiles to go before I weep.

Jordan Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie deals with many of the same issues in a much more relatable, touching, and entertaining way.

Reprinted here with author's permission