As Simple as It Seems

✍ Scribed by Weeks, Sarah

• Book ID: 106837751
• Tongue: en-CA
• Weight: 66 KB
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—Verbena's fifth-grade year has been miserable. She feels mean, moody, and self-conscious but doesn't know why. When she stumbles onto the fact that she is adopted and that her birth father is incarcerated for murder, she decides that the obvious explanation is that she takes after him. She also learns that she was exposed fetally to alcohol, which explains her small size and learning problems. She finds a diversion when she meets Pooch, a boy vacationing in her small town in the Catskills, and convinces him she's a ghost. In the aftermath of a crisis that puts Pooch's life in jeopardy, Verbie begins to repair her relationship with her mother and to come to terms with who she is as a person. Children who have suddenly noticed that their parents are the most embarrassing people on earth; who have been unable to keep from saying awful, hurtful things; or just realized that life isn't as simple as it once seemed will relate to Verbie's emotional discomfort. The other aspects of her life, including no mention of cell phones and the like, may seem less familiar. Pooch is likable, self-sufficient due to minimal parenting, and yet responsive to nurturing. The ending wraps things up a little too neatly, but all readers, at times, need reassurance that the difficult periods in life will pass. Despite the girly cover, there are many passages that could jump- start a booktalk and get this into kids' hands.—Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL

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Review

“There are many passages that could jump-start a booktalk and get this into kids’ hands.” (School Library Journal )

“Young readers will recognize their struggles to grow and understand their own lives, while laughing, and crying along the way. Nothing simple here; just fine writing.” (Avi, Newbery Medal-winning author of CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD )

“Life and death weave together in strange ways one summer for twelve year old Verbena Colter. Sarah Weeks tells her story with warmth, grace, and deep compassion. A stunning novel about life’s many complications and how we struggle to grow up, into ourselves.” (Brian Selznick, author and Caldecott winning illustrator of THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET )

“Verbena is a character you will not want to leave. An endearing story, heartfelt, and buoyant.” (Pam Munoz Ryan, author of ESPERANZA RISING )