Review Detail

Told entirely in poetry written by the narrator, Lexi, the latest "Gravel Road" novel in verse from Saddleback Publishing is a heartfelt personal journey through hardship, drama, and pain.

Life is really screwed up for sixteen year-old Lexi (rhymes with sexy). Her real mom is gone and her dad is in jail for drunk driving. Lexi's stepmom hates her, her little half-brother Blaine has autism and is a complete wreck, and the entire family is still recovering of the sudden death of newborn Clarissa Grace almost a year ago. At school Lexi finds solace with Ms. Rose, a guidance counselor, and sometimes with the cool, tattooed librarian. She paints and writes to express her grief and depression.

But when her semi-friends start bullying her and Ms. Rose inexplicably disappears Lexi can't handle school any more. Lexi breaks down and the new counselor calls in the hospital - Lexi has a rehabilitating stay in the mental health ward. Suddenly, she is reborn - she is happy, optimistic, and doesn't want to paint everything a depressing shade of blue. In the end, Lexi joins an after-school art and book club run by the cool librarian (awesome!) and meets a boy that she befriends and falls in love with. While her life hasn't completely changed - her parents are still idiots, her brother still needs constant supervision, and her grades are awful - Lexi has a new outlook on life and a new friend.

The story is told through poetry that Lexi writes herself. There is rhyme, but not always. There is repetition and alliteration, when appropriate. The verse isn't overpowering or inexplicable. It's easy to read, but also really captivating. It captures your attention and keeps you turning the pages, wondering what is going to happen to Lexi next. The verse also clearly portray's Lexi's personality, and I loved her attitude and outlook on her home and school. The story is like Lexi's journal, told in poetry; a year of her struggling life documents in little words scribbled on paper.

I loved the poetry. It told Lexi's story so well, in a way that will be easily accessible to readers of any level. While those looking for a deep, complex story with some intense poetry might be disappointed - that isn't the point of this book. "Gravel Road" stories are about being accessible - to readers at a low level, with only a little time, or with a lot more on their mind than just books. TEENY LITTLE GRIEF MACHINES is a great little book with a lot to say about staying positive no matter what life throws at you.