Absolutely Almost

In the stage musical of Matilda, lyricist Tim Minchin begins the show with the following lines about the state of children today: “Specialness is de rigueur. / Above average is average. Go fig-ueur! / Is it some modern miracle of calculus / That such frequent miracles don't render each one un-miracu......more

Spoiler Alert: There are spoilers in this review. Albie is a fifth grade boy with academic and social problems. He is almost good at many things, but not quite good enough. His new babysitter, Calista, helps Ablie discover the things in life that make him happy and that he is good at. I always hate it......more

Awwwww, this was achingly sweet and difficult at the same time. A good reminder for parents that while your kid is extraordinary in many ways just being OK in some aspects of life is fine too.......more

As a kid I would pretend I was a great athlete or genius. My dad is a genius. Really. He's been tested and his IQ is in the 140s. Of course I can't remember the exact number. I am not a genius. I am average. I didn't go to Harvard like dad. I wasn't a straight A student like dad. I didn't get high s......more

You want to know how much I liked this book? I liked it thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much. "Some people aren't good at anything. Some people just really like donuts." Lisa Graff always writes the best books ever. And they almost always fall into my lap just when I need them the most. She is my re-bound au......more