[fiction] Smiles to Go

27Jan09

By: Jerry Spinelli

“It’s the not knowing that counts.”

Smiles to Go is a fun and entertaining book. It was funny, I haven’t touched Jerry Spinelli since Stargirl. The writing style, I haven’t really gotten used to it. Fun writing style; and seeing how the people were highschoolers– (maybe it’s just me and my grim outlook on life in highschool based on my personal exp) they seemed too pure… much like … seventh graders or whatever? A kiss sounded like a simple childish innocent thing. But whatever I’m not really sure what played into that. Maybe it’s the little sister thing? That might’ve been it. Or because the books I read about teens otherwise are pretty grim.

Either way in the end, the book was really beautiful and nice :]. It did have the whole being-in-the-hospital-dead thing. I’ve read a lot of books with that shit in there. I guess though, it is pretty catastrophic so yep. The ending was cool :]. I really liked that.

The book is about a teenager named Will, who goes through his daily life– annoying sister Tabby; 5 years old (and Kerbert, the 5 year old next door in love with her), Mom, Dad, and his besties Mi-Su and BT. They’ve been friends for all their lives. Science geeks, chess masters, and Monopoly every week. One day, when they go to a “star party” Will and Tabby catch BT and Mi-Su kissing. Will realizes his love for Mi-Su. Her smile,… just everything. His heart is broken, his sister is broken, and then when he finds out the truth, he’s broken all over again.

Here’s a sweet cute from there that I really loved:

“I went into her room. Sat on the bed, looking at Ozzie. If I could draw sadness, I’d draw that plush gray toy octopus. I petted it’s soccer ball-sized head and left the room.” – pg. 212

The writing style in the book was amazing. It was fun, light hearted, but deep when it had to be. It’s like Jerry does this shit with no effort. He needs a freakng statue of him in front of some really important literature crap. (I’m very knowledgable evidently).  Favourite scene? I’m actually not sure. Everything was delicious. I loved the sweetness and simplicity of it. Even though the characters seemed a bit off, the story it was great. And… even though it was the nerdiest crap I’ve heard my whole life–the proton thing was pretty cool. Especially how he took it from the beginning flashback and applied it around the story. Doesn’t matter if it’s a common literary technique it’s just cool how he actualy does and remember it. I wouldn’t be able to ha (i fail).

I also, am mad in love with Kerbert. God from now on I’m getting my love advice from a 5 year old. Ignorance really is bliss :] haha. I’m also glad that Jerry used the word crap atelast once. I’ve been reading books with “fuck” written all over and I’m kinda used to it. If it didn’t have crap atleast once, I would’ve just labeled it corny. I mean they’re highschoolers gawd XD. Then again, just because I have a potty mouth doesn’t Will does.

Well to get a nice thick and hairy (amazing poet right here) review like this, I must really love this book. I do; I didn’t from the start (I’m not skater girl), but it’s nice. Mi-Su Kelly? What the hell xD. haha. I loved this goddamn book. Go read it children :].

Mark: 10/10

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Tags: 10/10, Jerry Spinelli, Smiles to Go