The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.03, 2015, under Bullying, Real life, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers grades 6 and up who are looking for books about overcoming unspeakable tragedy would want to read this excellent book.
The goods on this book? Henry K. Larsen, 13, has just moved with his father into a new apartment in a new city. They do not want to be known by IT and they do not speak about IT, but it looms over everything in their lives. Because of IT, Henry’s mother has had to move into a mental institution. The book reveals the event which becomes IT early in the story, but I want to keep it a surprise. The event itself is important, but what makes the book a total stand-out is the quirky combination of neighbors and friends that come into Henry’s life and how he deals with them as he and his family come to terms with IT. His family’s obsession with the Global Wrestling Federation event also adds a lot, including a feature illustration on the cover which might scare away some people who would actually really like the book. This book resonated with me in the same way as John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in how it handles characters that are facing horrific situations, though it doesn’t include a romance. The subtitle explains a lot about the book: “who is only writing this because his therapist said he had to, which stinks.” Get to know Henry. Read this book!
The details: 243 pages; 2012 Review by Samrarian
