Bluefish

A lovely, understated book that celebrates the possibility of a kind and humane friendship between an eighth-grade girl and boy...this novel is also an ode to the significance of reading in the lives of young people and to a teacher who knows the power literature can wield. Unique and original, believable and poignant, this is a book with power of its own.

Readers seeking emotional warmth, congenial humor, and an affirmation of forgiveness and friendship will cozy up to these characters.

Despite the weighty problems the characters face-grief, alcoholism, and bullying among them-Bluefish is a lively, often-humorous, and ultimately hopeful page-turner. It has all the hallmarks of a classic contemporary young adult issues novel. It's packed with memorable and believable characters and powered by the prospect of redemption and just a hint of romance.

A young teen loner gradually learns to accept the friendship of an outspoken girl in this problem novel filled with likable, idiosyncratic characters.… A story rife with unusual honesty and hope.

What makes Bluefish compelling is the unorthodox way the characters reveal their secrets and ultimately join forces to break hurtful social labels. Readers will identify with the middle school setting and the well-written characters.

The story is well written and deals realistically with issues that plague many teens.

“An ode to the significance of reading in the lives of young people. . . . Unique and original, believable and poignant, this is a book with power of its own.”