Smiles to Go

Reader reviewed by j

One of my newest Spinelli favorites, Will Tuppence who loves science and his friends experiences many emotions, challenges, and changes; it is through him that I could feel my own heart flutter at times and break when his did. 

"Riley picked his nose", his sister taunts as Mi'su gives grave news of proton decay.  Will must face the fact that this means that the world may not go on forever, not only that, BT and Mi-Su have a special relationship; in addition to that news of secrets of other encounters and dangerous endeavors BT has taken on cause Will to become more jealous.  Will it break their friendship?  His focus becomes weakened with his constant tormenting of his sister and his mind preoccupied by BT and Mi-Su, especially when it comes time to practice for his chess tournament.  A tragic accident occurs that takes a toll on everybody.  It is through this that Will learns and grows.

Taka look at Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli, I definitely recommend this book, I read this book with my fifth grade students and initially started it with them and then quickly finished to make sure it wasn't inappropriate.  The second day I came to school, my eyes puffy, and I told them that I cried straight through to the end, not because I was totally sad, but because it was happy, and I was completely satisfied. 

 

Reader reviewed by Angelica

Once again, author Jerry Spinelli delivers a story that could make you rethink everything in life. Will is a skateboarder, anchovy pizza eater, best friend monopoly player, chess champion, proton believer. His whole world collapses around him when he hears that a proton died which means that nothing last forever. Nothing at all. This revelation has him feeling lost about how he feels in this world and lost in his relationships with his family, his friends and his more-than friend. This book will make you rethink..... everything.

p.s. Beware of Solipsism

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