Carolyn Mackler's Right Back At You is a delightful twist on time travel. It's not people who do the traveling--it's the letters of two-twelve-olds, both of whom are facing serious challenges.
Mason (2023) is missing his father who has moved to Atlanta to start a higher paying job. His mom seems to be having a problem with alcohol. At school he is being bullied by a cruel boy who gets away with his meanness because he's very popular and very sneaky and his parents donate a lot of money to his school.
Talia (1987) feels like she's being abandoned by her long time best friend. Although she loves baseball, the school team's coach won't let her try out because she's a girl. She's being bullied by antisemitic comments that the teachers do nothing to stop.
When Mason's therapist tells him to write a letter to someone or noone and send it or not send it he writes it to Albert Einstein and tosses it in his closet...
...only to discover it replaced by one from Talia. It's the beginning of a most unusual correspondence. After they overcome their very understandable initial skepticism it turns out they have a lot to offer each other...
...and there's an amazing but credible plot twist at the end.
On a purrrsonal note, I had the most purrrfect evening last night. With my very introverted husband at camp, Tobago and I had invited Bailey and Cam over for dinner. I even baked a dessert. They arrived just as the spaghetti 🍝 was ready, bearing garlic bread 🍞. Cam was seeing the place for the first time and was very impressed. We had a delightful meal. Lady T outdid me at hostessing, being very attentive to our guests and loving all their attention. The rest of the night 🌙 she was strutting around, looking quite pleased with herself. I believe I can safely say that a good time was had by all.
A great big shout out goes out to Bailey, Cam, and precious Tobago, the hostess with the mostess.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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