After a long stint away from young adult fiction, I curled up last evening with a random book from the library. A Crooked Kind of Perfect, with a picture of toe socks on the front, seemed promising. Beyond the toe socks, it was also a first novel (the first book published by a new author). And I like picking up first novels. This one was published in 2007, author Linda Urban... and it's worth reading!
This is one of those books about a "normal" person. No fantasy. Nothing unimaginable. Involves a normal girl: not so cool, big dreams like any teenager and then having to live with reality instead, high school/middle school friendships and relationships; and her family and how they cope with life together (working hard, dealing with mental health issues, shortcomings and strengths). It shows the light and heavy sides of life together. Before you think this is a heavy book, it's not. It's light and fun and funny and fast-paced and delightful and has something to say with absolutely no pontificating. It's a believable voice, and the characters are all multi-faceted and interesting. Oh, and it's about music, too. I grew up in the world of music lessons and recitals and piano and competitions... so it brought back memories.
Linda Urban's first novel: a book that is full of optimism, and loaded with respect for the failures and successes of any kind of human being. And that is a terrific treasure.
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