Kathryn Reads KidLit

I enjoyed this book, and always struggle with an ending like this: it is a real life ending. Everything isn't neatly wrapped up, there are still people struggling in not real great situations. So it isn't satisfying in that way (but it is more realistic than electricity and running water at a long-ago bankrupt golf course) but I think that gives it more authenticity - if you are a kid living a less than ideal life, you know it doesn't magically all get better for everyone. The mother isn't violent or terribly cruel; I would be fine with any of my 5th graders reading it. Grade 5+ Read May, 2014