Definitely not one of my favorite books. First of all, the plot is boring. Ok, so Travis doesn't know how to read, then he learns how to read, he has a friend named Velveeta who does not contribute to the plot, if there even is a plot. His dog died, and he and his grandpa don't get along very well. Its not a plot with a beginning, a middle and an end. Secondly, two things didn't make sense to me. How would an 8TH GRADER go through every year of school without knowing how to read??? That would never happen. Secondly, the back cover described Velveeta as "smart-way smart". If I recall correctly, Velveeta wouldn't do any of the homework, and had absolutely no ambition for her future. ex. "I told him my only choices are which bar I waitress at." Also, while reading this book, I couldn't help imagining Velveeta as overweight because she always stares at Travis' dessert until he gives her some. ex. "As usual, Velveeta polished off everything on her tray in a hurry. When he looked up, she was staring at his brownie." Sorry to all the people that liked this book. Travis is missing his old home in the country, and he’s missing his dog, Rosco. Now there’s just the cramped place he shares with his alcoholic grandpa, a new school, and the bad routine of school. But that’s when Travis meets Mr. McQueen, who doesn’t take no for an answer a teacher whose savvy persistence has Travis slowly unlocking a book on the natural world. And it’s before Travis is noticed by Velveeta, a girl whose Fighting and colorful scarves some hard secrets of her own. With feel bad, humor, and disarming honesty, The book is all about the connections and believe charters and characters trusting their own.
