Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Lindsey Leavitt
Release Date ~ March 1, 2011
Age Group ~ Middle Grade
Publisher ~ Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Source ~ The Teen {Book} Scene
GOODREADS SUMMARY
According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object—an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas—it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known him.
The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.
In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.
REVIEW
Coping. It’s something that everyone learns to do. In this case, Payton is coping with her father’s illness and the fact that her family didn’t tell her for six months. Payton takes her anger out on her parents by ignoring them, yelling at them, and not listening to their advice. It’s the wrath of Payton! I can see being upset, but she really needed to get a grip and forgive her parents.
Payton’s school counselor gives her an out. She tells Payton to find a focus object to journal about. Payton chooses Sean Griswold. But not all of him. Just his head. Payton keeps a journal with her thoughts as she concentrates on Sean’s head. It starts out with Payton focusing on the back of Sean’s head, but eventually she starts wondering what’s going on INSIDE his head. This is when the story really gets interesting.
The relationship between Payton and Sean goes from being non-existent to a full-blown crush. I liked the innocence of it all. There are no ulterior motives, no paranormal creatures, no love triangle, no magical powers – just an honest to goodness crush. I really like that things move slowly between these two and they find so many things in common. Their relationship is adorable and realistic.
So, we have serious family drama and a budding romance – where’s the humor? Look no further than Payton’s BFF Jac. This girl is super sarcastic. She’s disorganized, boy crazy, and a fashion diva to boot. I love Jac’s funny personality and that she is such a good friend to Payton.
Sean Griswold’s Head is a super cute story that reminds me of the importance of family and friends.
RATING
5 Loved
COVER COMMENTS
This cover is way different. At first glance, I didn’t really care for it. Then, when I looked closer, I realized that the doodles on the blackboard totally matched the story. And well, what is Sean Griswold’s Head without Sean Griswold’s head? A cute cover for a cute story.
0 comments:
Post a Comment