Another from NPR's Ultimate Backseat Bookshelf.
When I saw the In Memory note at the beginning of the book, I knew whatever I had expected of this book was wrong. Parts were very difficult to read, mainly the end, but some of the family parts at the beginning. This was balanced out by the school scenes and most of the family dynamics in the book. There are a few mentions of an Uncle Bud which made me wonder if this book is related to Bud, Not Buddy, but if it is, nothing comes of the connection.