A Crooked Kind of Perfect- Linda Urban

Often I’m finding it a bit of a challenge to find that great book for our students in the middle; those in grades 4-6. We seem to have a great number of wonderful picture books and great novels for our young adults. ACrooked Kind of Perfect is perfect (excuse the pun) for those in-between kids of ours. It has something to say in a non-preachy, humorous way. It has enough of this age group’s struggles with peer acceptance, beginning romantic crushes and wanting to achieve something memorable to satisfy all the readers’ needs.

Zoe dreams of being a great concert pianist, but unfortunately, her somewhat eccentric father, presents her with an organ, with lessons thrown in. Disappointed as she is, she decided to make the best of it, and works hard enough to enter an annual competition. Now I know this doesn’t sound very exciting, but throw in the author’s quirky sense of humour, the fast-paced incidents at school and home, the interaction with friends, former friends, and potential love-interests, and you have a story that is hard to put down. You wanted to cheer for Zoe all the way and even though her life wasn’t perfect, she had the support she needed to have some confidence in herself and in her dreams. It was on many recommended lists last year, and now I know why!