One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke

One Whole and Perfect Day (for kids middle school age and up) by Judith Clarke is the story of Lily, her mother, her grandparents, and her brother Lonnie: a "freakish" but lovable family. Lily, though still in her teens, is the partial housekeeper for the family, as her mother works long hours as a psychologist, and her lazy older brother would be no help even if he weren't away at college. "Lazy" is one way to describe Lonnie, anyway. Their grandfather, who disowned him right after threatening him with an ax, would probably say "good-for-nothing." Add that to Lily and Lonnie's grandmother, who still has an invisible friend (named Sef), with Lonnie's new girlfriend Clara, who is studying linguistics in college despite the wishes of her father, and you have a host of motley personalities, who, despite their differences, still manage to love each other... sometimes.

One Whole and Perfect Day is a wonderful tale of point of view and family. Each character is uniquely endearing once you delve deeper into his or her personality. Surprisingly, the best one of all is Lily's grandfather, Stanley--the same one who threatened Lonnie with an ax. Though his exterior is gruff, sometimes even alarming, he has a genuinely good heart. His wife, Lily's grandmother, though mildly eccentric, is perfectly sane despite her invisible friend, and all in all the perfect grandmother. She's the one who comes up with the idea of a party for the family, which, with the help of the slightest hint of magic, becomes the kind of thing everyone dreams of: one whole and perfect day.

Okay, now that I'm done with the more professional stuff:

Definitely a comfort read. You know, one of those books that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end? It's not totally intellectual, but the switching point of views part is interesting. It's cool to see Lonnie from his grandfather's eyes, his sister's eyes, Clara's eyes, and then his own eyes. Not a book I'd re-read, but a good one nonetheless.

Lovingly yours,
FBF