LitBit Speaks

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics. Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel. Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives. And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight. I... Uh... I'm not sure what I just read. Wait, I don't mean that in a bad way! I just... hmmm... Okay, so first of all, if you're a traditionalist when it comes to form, you will probably find your brain spinning a bit. There are chap...

Tommy bounces, and he leaps. Tommy clomps, and he bulldozes. Nothing tires Tommy out, and his family can't keep up! But then his sister has an idea: could tap class be just right for Tommy? This exuberant picture book, written by Broadway dancer Tim Federle, with illustrations by Mark Fearing, stars one very energetic kid who finally finds his place in the spotlight. Tommy can't stop moving. He can't stop bopping or bouncing or clamoring or clomping or stoping or hurdling. Tommy's parents are tired, and so is his sister. They try EVERYTHING to burn off Tommy's excessive energy so they can finally sit down for a minute. (A number of other reviewers claim Tommy is ADHD, which is a possible reading for sure, but I won't make the claim in this review since it's not made explicit in the text that he has been diagnosed with anything in particular.) In any case, Tommy's sister eventually suggests that Tommy try tap dancing. He's not an immediate fan...