First, a bit of background. Each month, a group of about fifteen teens gather in my living room to talk about books. I started our homeschool literary club about four years ago when my second oldest was entering high school. After a series of discussions turned monologues about literature with my oldest son, I was determined to do better. So I invited some of her friends to read a book and talk about it. Most of the first group have graduated, but they all have younger siblings who are now joining the ranks. Choosing books for this group is by far the hardest part. So this month, I decided to let them pick, but from a specific list: World Magazine's Children's Books of the Year. Before I offered them the list, I had to read all the books myself. Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing reviews of the five books they chose, ending with their top choice for book of the year.
First up--Things Seen from Above by Shelley Pearsall. This was one of World Magazine's runners up for 2021. As the book opens, 6th grader April has chosen to spend her lunch time as a buddy for the fourth grade recess. Her reasons will resonate with anyone who has had to deal with the awkwardness of sixth grade and quickly shifting friendships. She notices one boy in particular who keeps to himself, sometimes lying in the wood chips, other times moving in circles.
Like any well-informed student of this century, she immediately wonders if he has autism and notices that the other children mostly avoid him. As she begins to befriend him, the reader also has a glimpse into Joey's thoughts. April also makes friends with the other sixth grade buddy, a new girl whose family is Indian and doesn't feel like she fits in well either.
If there is conflict in this story, it occurs as April tries to make the rest of the school see what Joey sees and what Joey makes. The author does not make April try to change Joey. Rather, the other children are changed, even if only temporarily, by their interactions with Joey and his art.
Shelley Pearsall has experience with schools and classrooms as a former teacher. But this story has personal connections due to a nephew with some special gifts.
Although my children are sheltered from the bullying and cruelty that happens in a school setting, they need to be aware of it because they have friends who are not sheltered from it. Even in our home school circles, children can still be unkind to those who are new or are not like them. Seeing life from someone else's perspective is the first step toward compassion for them.
