Mead is a genius and at the age of 18 is about to present a solution to an age old mathematical problem and then graduate from University, instead he finds himself on a bus headed home. He intends to follow in the footsteps of his father and sell furniture and funerals. Only problem being that Mead is not a people person.
Throughout his grade school years Mead was subjected to many forms of bullying and at times it seemed his only safety net was his older cousin Percy. Both boys are looking for a way out of their small town existence and the lives their parents have planned for them.
I really enjoyed this story. It occurs to me that in general one would assume that a genius has it made. That all he has to do is study, give the correct answers and a wonderful life will be presented to him. As Mead finds out, it doesn't happen that way. He had kept himself sheltered within his studies, but when he leaves campus for the last time, he realizes that he can't survive by hiding in an academic cocoon. He has to live in the real world and interact with others if he hopes to succeed.
M. Ann Jacoby has based this story on events from her father's life. She does plan a second book that looks to her mother for inspiration.
I won this book from a blog contest sponsored by Hachette Books.
Read Ellie's review at Stone Meadow Book Reviews
1 comment:
This sounds fascinating - I'll have to add it to my list. Thanks!
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