A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

Reviewed by Author: Pam Allyn.

As we embark on a new year, it is important to help the girls in our lives to feel empowered to pursue their dreams in their own unique way. This charming, funny book for upper elementary and middle school girls reminds us all to embrace the person we truly are, with all of our quirks, challenges and magical little moments. Linda Urban shares the story of Zoe, a fifth grade girl whose dreams are big and bold, but whose reality seems to always fall short. Zoe longs to grow up to be a piano prodigy, playing classical concerts in Carnegie Hall. Instead, she receives an organ from her parents and is asked by her teacher to perform Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans” at the annual “Perform-O-Rama” concert. Although this is far from shiny, black baby grands and auditoriums full of speechless listeners, Zoe accepts the setbacks her secret wishes must endure, just as she accepts her unique family life. With a workaholic mom and a socially phobic dad, Zoe navigates the precarious path her parents help to create with the special combination of innocence and awareness that this age brings. She loves her parents for who they are, while acknowledging that she is very different from them and coming to terms with the challenges those differences create. Urban gives Zoe a sense of both wonder and humor that makes her an engaging and inspiring heroine. As Zoe finds her own crookedly perfect path to happiness, she will encourage all girl readers to embrace themselves for who they are and never give up on the hopes and dreams they hold in their hearts.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER:

Pam Allyn is the author of The Complete 4 for Literacy, a guide for educators, and coauthor of the six-book series The Complete Year in Reading and Writing. She is also the author of What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read With Your Child – and All the Best Times to Read Them. Pam is widely known as a motivational speaker on the subject of raising lifelong readers and writers. It is her personal quest to bring literacy to every child stems from a deeper desire to bring dignity to every child, and to empower children to read and write powerfully, effectively and with passion and delight. Her hope is that all children will grow up able to fulfill their dreams and leave their positive imprint on the world. Pam has started a not-for-profit, LitWorld International, Inc., to further this vision.

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