Partners Again
by: Arthur T. Lee; illustrator, Nick Bontorno
Published by: Nobility Publishing (November 18 release)
Buy From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Barbara L. Fielder
Our 6th grade hero at Elderwood Elementary, Albert McTweed, is a vivid daydreamer who draws his fantasy hero first in his imagination. Then, when he thinks the teacher is not looking, draws his character in class. You can imagine what his teacher, Ms. Hogsteen, does when she suspects and confirms Albert is in his own daydream world. She takes great joy in smacking her pointer across Albert’s desk to shake him back to reality.
But what is reality? The unique storyline carries you into Albert’s fantasies. They are fun at one end of the spectrum and horrifying at the other. The use of graphic descriptions to emphasize the treatment of Albert’s fantasy characters is strong, and as such may startle a very young reader–thus best for Young Adult.
Our central character in Albert’s fantasy is PJ, a good ”˜ole down-to-earth cowboy, whose actions and situations are created in Albert’s imagination and drawings, and carried out in detail.
The unsavory “bad guys and lady” who haunt Albert’s fantasies and PJ’s realities are despicable and easy to dislike in a big way.
In the midst of Albert’s fantasy and daydreams is the reality of his parents living separately. He is deeply affected by his parent’s separation and saddened by the disruption to his family life. This also carries into his attitude toward school and his disgusting teacher, Ms. Hogsteen, and principal, Klinger.
An underground ring of fake diamond purveyors that hold global power as their total focus is artfully woven into the story. This twist definitely adds a new and harrowing dimension for PJ and Albert.
The author is very clever at weaving Albert’s fantasy characters into what seems like reality. Only at the end of the story finally is the separation of fantasy and reality a reality.
Armchair Interviews says: Have fun reading this book, ideal for late Middle Readers and Young Adults.
Author’s Web site: http://www.ArthurTLee.com
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