Smiles to Go

Smiles to Go is yet another affirmation of Jerry Spinelli's amazing storytelling. Like his other books, Smiles to Go illustrates the labyrinth of childhood life in a simple but powerful way. The main character, a high schooler named Will Tuppence, is a science nut, chess player, skateboarder, stargazer, and dreamer. One day, he learns that protons--the stuff that makes up everything we see--sometimes decay into nothing. To him, this means that existence is fragile and finite because one day, long into the future, everything that is now will be gone. When Will begins to develop feelings for Mi-Su Kim, a life-long friend and neighbor, he discovers that being in love is full of fears and doubts--does Mi-Su like him back? This is the main theme of the book: how should one deal with the fact that life is mysterious and uncertain? The take-home message (which I won't spoil) is subtle but profound. The book is presented in traditional Spinelli style. Short chapters keep the pages rolling, and the writing is somewhat informal, as if being spoken to the reader. Spinelli's descriptions are perfectly balanced to leave the reader to fill in gaps with his or her creativity. It's really impressive how the writing--or sometimes absence of too much writing--really brings you into the story, making you care about the characters and feel their emotions though your own imagination. I'll never grow too old to enjoy Jerry Spinelli's writing, or Smiles to Go. It left me smiling :)

I have loved many Spinelli novels through the years. This one is a winner, especially for young men. It helps them know that it's okay to have a tender heart.

In Jerry Spinelli's Smiles to Go, 15-year old Will Tuppence is a break from many young adult protagonists in being not at risk, not struggling in school or with making friends, not in conflict with rules or authority, no troubled home life or unorthodox parenting, or many of the other troubles associated with adolescence. Instead, Will proves that average young people struggle with important issues in the adult world, such as taking counsel from fear and worrying about the nature of existence, worrying that his peers are leaving him behind. Wondering about his future and losing opportunities, Will has always seemed like an adult to himself and to his peers; a forty-year old in a teenager's body. Yet, an adult or educator would do well to learn that like Will, many quiet, unassuming and well-behaved young adults have a great need for reassurance and adult mentoring and the aspiring young astronomer in 3rd period who sits on the second row, may be desperately wondering where to go from here. Even Will's friends depart from type-casting; they are unusual usual high school freshmen like B.T., the class clown and social deviant who reads classics and recites poetry, and doesn't have anything to prove. Will comes to see that there is joy in watching things go counter to plan. IN his worry about his future, Will finds he loses sight of the precious people and events of the present, and though he can't hold on to the present forever, he discovers that he can always live in the now. I was pleasantly surprised with a book directed towards a generation so eager to grow up, which warmly advises them that in that journey it is important to be where you are. The reason why is written with a wink on the front cover. When it comes to the future, "it's the not knowing that counts." Jerry Spinelli writes in fast-moving prose filled with images that really speak. Smiles to Go is a delightful novel, an interesting read about very real characters. It will resonant with the majority of young, mainstream, middle class America who might wonder if they are a little too vanilla or unexciting to get the attention of peers and teachers, but may need a book that is about them, too.

"For I have promises to keep," B.T. recites in Jerry Spinelli's new teen offering, "And smiles to go before I weep / And smiles to go before I weep." Although Will Tuppence's close friend B.T. is more prepared than usual for his recitation in English class, something is not quite right (although it is prescient) about his recitation of Robert Frost's Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening, just like nothing is quite right in Will Tuppence's life. For one, the rock hard foundation of his (and everything's) existence, the proton, is dying. For another, he isn't quite sure how he feels about his friend Mi-Su, but thinking about her and B.T. kissing at the star-watching party makes him feel on less solid ground. And, as if everything in his life wasn't enough of a mess, he has to contend with a little sister who bursts into his room, breaks his things, follows him around, and is a general nuisance. And all the while, protons could be dying. Will Tuppence really isn't too different from your average teen novel hero, and nothing about the overarching structure here is really original here - the sibling fights, childhood friendships blossoming into teenage romances, skateboarding, finding one's place in the universe... all really your typical fodder for a coming-of-age novel. Even some of the more specific details, such as the novel's climax, will hardly surprise more veteran readers of the genre. However, this one was authored by Jerry Spinelli, who has given us the likes of Stargirl, so you can expect him to bring his own brand of magic to this all too common story. For one: the proton. Protons are not the usual concern for your average young protagonist, but Will Tuppence runs with a slightly geeky crowd (although this is not remotely the focus of the novel), and he himself has always been fascinated with the proton. It reassures him to know that even when he decomposes, particles of Will Tuppence will always be floating about the universe. But like a stand in for a dead dog, or a dying uncle, when Will gets the news that protons can die, it is like the ground drops out from under him. I love how Spinelli uses this tidbit to reflect the uproar of Will's internal, and eventually external, world. The characters, mostly Will's best friends and fellow Monopoly players, B.T. (who just cruises through life, "Wheelin' and dealin'," as he says during their weekly Monopoly games) and Mi-Su, really pop. I especially love Mi-Su for her cavalier, time-to-play attitude about romance, rather than the love-me-or-I'll-die puppy-loves presented in so many YA/Children's novels. I could go on. I won't. It is a great read and really worth anyone's time. Will have great boy appeal, although may be a harder sell for reluctant readers.

As a long-time Jerry Spinelli fan, I was truly excited when given the chance to review his latest, SMILES TO GO. If you loved MANIC MAGEE or WRINGER, be sure to take a look at this one. Will Tuppence is a typical freshman. He is worried about skateboarding, his annoying little sister, and hanging with his friends, Mi-Su and BT. But, as normal as that sounds, there is another side to Will. His fascination with science gives him a serious approach to life. His idea of a fun time is spending hours stargazing at faraway galaxies, and recent news that a proton can actually die has Will constantly concerned about just how long life can go on. His concern about protons becomes the underlying thought that occupies his mind as he stumbles through his freshman year. Other things besides the proton problem are beginning to spin out of control for Will. After witnessing a secret kiss between Mi-Su and BT, he starts to wonder why he hasn't tried to kiss Mi-Su. She is suddenly looking like more than just a mere friend. Skateboarding has always provided a great release for Will until BT manages the impossible - a death-defying ride down Dead Man's Hill. How can Will even attempt to match that? There is also the constant pestering of Will's little sister, Tabby. How can he concentrate on his school work or attempt to train for the upcoming chess tournament when she's like an annoying mosquito buzzing through his life? With SMILES TO GO, Spinelli takes his readers into the life of Will Tuppence. In his traditional straightforward style, he presents Will's challenges and triumphs in a way that left me chuckling and teary-eyed, often at the same time. I think Spinelli recognizes that his loyal fans are now a bit older and has given them a story to match their growth and maturity. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"