Record Breaker

Gr 4–7—Jack desperately wants to break some sort of world record because he believes that by doing so he can restore his family to what it was before his sister died of SIDS. Stevenson vividly portrays how Annie's death affects the whole family. Jack's mom suffers from depression, barely getting out of bed each day. Jack and his father neglect all but the basic necessities, including the fallout shelter Jack's dad began before Annie died. It is when the 12-year-old finds Kate, a girl whose family has relocated from the United States to Canada, that he begins the healing process. Kate and her mother are like a balm to Jack and his mother, and the catalysts behind a positive turning point for the family. The author injects much-needed humor into the story through Jack's failed record-breaking attempts and Kate's inability to play the recorder or cook. Historical references, like the JFK assassination and the specter of the Cold War, ground the novel in the early 1960s. Jack's emotions, particularly the fear and guilt he feels, and his preoccupation with the family's situation, are realistic. This is a compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack's family and readers without giving the story a pat ending. A solid offering.—Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY