Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
11yo Ware planned to spend his summer with "Big Deal," his grandmother, but when she falls and ends up in rehab, Ware's mom enrolls him in "Summer Rec." He feels he's too old, so on the first day he wanders off and discovers a demolished church and a girl named Jolene who is planting a garden there. Ware sees the ruins as the bones of a castle, Jolene sees the garden as a way to make some much needed money. Both Ware and Jolene find refuge in this sanctuary, but when it is threatened, Ware defers to the Code of Chivalry and pledges to be the champion of Right and Good - and save their castle and garden.
An intricate story with a lot more going on than can be told in a short summary. "Here in the Real World" is about growing up, becoming your best self - maybe even being born again. Ware wants to be a normal kid - he's a loner who prefers his own company to that of friends, Jolene is private, shares little about her personal life but grows into a good friend for Ware. I loved his grandma (Big Deal - what a great nickname), and Ware's Uncle. Both great characters who give Ware advice.
Lisa Librarian
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