Children's Books Too Cool for School

Sophie's unusual family group -- she lives with her English mother, Latino stepfather, and Bosnian refugee great aunt -- becomes a little more unusual when a small boy, Pablo, is found in the desert with Sophie's father's business card in his pocket. Poor little Pablo has seen his parents die trying to cross the border, and barely survived himself. Sophie, whose favorite book is The Little Prince, decides that Pablo is her pricipito who came from parts unknown, and is thrilled when he becomes part of their family.

However, Pablo's surviving family is eventually located in a tiny Mexican village, and it is decided that Pablo should see his family, and make a very difficult decision for a very small boy.

It just so happens that Great Aunt Dika's boyfriend, and his son Angel, were planning a trip South of the border, and it seems an opportune time to make a road trip. Just one problem -- Sophie is afraid of almost everything. Germs, car-accidents, other people... This road trip will be another kind of journey for Sophie, as she learns a little bit about
herself, and the lives of others.

This book had an uphill battle, because I had just finished What is the What and that was
a tough act to follow. However, I was immediately engaged with the story, and couldn't bear to put it down.

The prose was so lyrical, and although Sophie is sort of your stereotypical, unsure, preteen heroine, she has a great voice that pushes past all that. The descriptions of people and places were intense and vivid, really putting one right in the story. And the characters -- well, that's the most important part. This is a very character-driven novel, and they all just sparkle.

One minor complaint: As usual in these books, Sophie will need a boy to convince her of her true worth. A boy which, I'm sure, we are supposed to be convinced is her teenaged soul mate, or something. However, I'll get over it. The story, if conventional, was beautifully told.

Very much a girl book for girls around Sophies age -- 13 to 16.