Pretty sure I would have loved this book even if she hadn't name-dropped just about every single one of my favorite children's books.
Plenty of bits of magic sprinkled in with reality. Penny is delightful, even though I did find her parents pretty annoying throughout. Her friends were great, and I giggled and smiled throughout. Recommended.

from Bas Bleu catalog

Thought this was a rather odd choice for a December book club--I want fluff and fun in December! And this was definitely not that.

Rather depressing story of a boy with neglectful parents, few friends, and an abuse situation planning a murder-suicide. Exactly what you think will happen does happen. But in all honesty, I never found myself rooting for Leonard, and I feel like that's essential in a book like this.

Can't help but compare this to Eleanor & Park, where there is a very bleak home situation but it's ultimately a hopeful, optimistic book. There is no optimism here, even in the odd "letters from the future."

Definitely wouldn't have finished this if it wasn't for it being a book club pick.