Lost in the Library: Small Medium at Large Book Launch and Book Review

July 19, 2012

Small Medium at Large Book Launch and Book Review

Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy

Published by Bloomsbury Kids July 3rd 2012

Reviewed from personal copy

Summary

After she’s hit by lightning at a wedding, twelve-year-old Lilah Bloom develops a new talent: she can hear dead people. Among them, there’s her over-opinionated Bubby Dora; a prissy fashion designer; and an approval-seeking clown who livens up a séance. With Bubby Dora leading the way, these and other sweetly imperfect ghosts haunt Lilah through seventh grade, and help her face her one big fear: talking to—and possibly going to the seventh-grade dance with—her crush, Andrew Finkel.

My Thoughts:

The character of Lilah is a fresh voice on the middle grade book scene and I adored her. She is quirky, and funny not to mention boy-crazy and I loved her fearless nature. A coming of age novel, Lilah is working out what’s important to her. When she gains the new ability to hear the dead after being struck by lightning, she still must work to discover who she is, but now she has the sweet voice of her grandmother (among others) to guide her. There were many great scenes in the book –one in particular brought tears to my eyes, but I think my favourite moments were between Lilah and her Dad. Their relationship is a special one and without a mom regularly in the picture they really have had to learn to look after each other. Lots of laugh out loud moments, the writing style is reminiscent of authors like Paula Danzinger, Judy Blume and Susin Nelson, I look forward to reading much more by Joanne Levy.

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting the author Joanne at her book launch for Small Medium at Large. It was hosted by Bryan Prince Bookseller (a charming bookstore) and had a fabulous turn out. Joanne also gave out fabulous swag bags to all the invited bloggers.

Her podium, and delish cupcakes!