Grade 5-8-It's 1963, and 13-year-old Georgia Hughes, feeling neglected by her wealthy, divorcing parents, imagines that President Kennedy is her warm and caring father. Georgia has been living in Brazil with her mother and father, whom she calls La and Winter; they are as cold and superficial as those names imply. When La discovers that her husband is having an affair, she returns to Washington, DC, with Georgia and places her in a Connecticut boarding school. Arriving in October, Georgia finds it difficult to fit in until her active imagination conjures up the ghost of the school's former headmistress, who gives her advice. When Tim, a friend from Brazil, turns up in Georgia's school's boathouse as a runaway from his boarding school, Georgia realizes that she no longer wants to leave. She has found a home, a place where people care for her and she for them. The poignancy of the book is heightened for those readers who realize that JFK will be assassinated in November. When that event occurs, Georgia has matured enough to stop pretending. The '60s setting, enhanced by some slang, will appeal to readers. Georgia's voice shines clearly in the narrative and especially in the series of letters she writes to JFK. She is a likable and well-drawn character, with a wonderful voice. Readers will empathize with her and cheer her coming-of-age.
Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
When 14-year-old Georgia Hughes' mother finds out about her husband's other woman, she whisks Georgia from Brazil back to the U.S. and the Beard Boarding School. With her world turned upside down, Georgia can cling to a few things: the moonstone given to her by a special boy named Tim and a picture of John F. Kennedy. Georgia decides that JFK is her real father and spends much of her time in an intense, imaginary relationship, which keeps her from paying too much attention to nasty classmates and clueless teachers. When Tim appears at Beard, wanting her to run away with him, Georgia must decide how unhappy she really is and what course she wants her new life to take. Gordon writes in a vivid, defining style that allows Georgia to emerge as a fresh, fully realized character. Her relationships with both JFK and the long-dead founder of Beard seem as honest and true as the more problematic relationships she has with her fellow students. The plot turns will hold readers, but Georgia's reasons for those turns are not always developed. Although the 1960s setting does not play a prominent role in the book, Georgia's affection for JFK captures some of Kennedy's magic and accurately mirrors what so many felt for their young, handsome president. Ilene Cooper
See all Editorial Reviews
