Smiles to Go

Children's Books Too Cool For School

“For I have promises to keep,” B.T. recites in Jerry Spinelli’s new children’s offering, “And smiles to go before I weep / And smiles to go before I weep.” Although Will Tuppence’s close friend B.T. is more prepared than usual for his recitation in English class, something is not quite right (although it is prescient) about his recitation of Robert Frost’s Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening, just like nothing is quite right in Will Tuppence’s life.

For one, the rock hard foundation of his (and everything’s) existence, the proton, is dying. For another, he isn’t quite sure how he feels about his friend Mi-Su, but thinking about her and B.T. kissing at the star-watching party show more makes him feel on less solid ground. And, as if everything in his life wasn’t enough of a mess, he has to contend with a little sister who bursts into his room, breaks his things, follows him around, and is a general nuisance. And all the while, protons could be dying.

Will Tuppence really isn’t too different from your average teen novel hero, and nothing about the overarching structure here is really original here – the sibling fights, childhood friendships blossoming into teenage romances, skateboarding, finding one’s place in the universe… all really your typical fodder for a coming-of-age novel. Even some of the more specific details, such as the novel’s climax, will hardly surprise more veteran readers of the genre.

However, this one was authored by Jerry Spinelli, who has given us the likes of Stargirl, so you can expect him to bring his own brand of magic to this all too common story. For one: the proton. Protons are not the usual concern for your average young protagonist, but Will Tuppence runs with a slightly geeky crowd (although this is not remotely the focus of the novel), and he himself has always been fascinated with the proton. It reassures him to know that even when he decomposes, particles of Will Tuppence will always be floating about the universe.

But like a stand in for a dead dog, or a dying uncle, when Will gets the news that protons can die, it is like the ground drops out from under him. I love how Spinelli uses this tidbit to reflect the uproar of Will’s internal, and eventually external, world.

The characters, mostly Will’s best friends and fellow Monopoly players, B.T. (who just cruises through life, “Wheelin’ and dealin’,” as he says during their weekly monopoly games) and Mi-Su, really pop. I especially love Mi-Su for her cavalier, time-to-play attitude about romance, rather than the love-me-or-I’ll-die puppy-loves presented in so many YA/Children’s novels.

I could go on. I won’t. It is a great read and really worth anyone’s time. While it is being marketed as a children’s book, I’m seeing it as really more for the tween/YA market. I honestly cannot remember whether the characters are in middle school or high school, but the feel of the book was more on that level. Will have great boy appeal, although may be a harder sell for reluctant readers. show less

It is impossible not to love Will from page 1. All of the characters are vivid and well developed. Will is so realistic that I found myself wanting to walk up and smack him on the back of the head, sometimes. Although this is Will's story, other characters share the spotlight, particularly Tabby. The story itself is well paced, with moments that will have you laughing out loud in one moment and holding your breath, the next.

Pros: Every teen should spend some time with Will, BT, Mi-Su, Tabby, and Korbet. He just might help them answer some of those age-old questions about the secrets of life!

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Narrated by Conor Donovan. I listened to this at the same time as "Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie" and there were so many similarities, right down to the black jellybeans, that I got confused which story I was listening to! Will is obsessive about selected areas of his life: does Mi Su like me, what was that kiss between Mi Su and BT all about, plotting the minutiae of his Valentine's date, etc. I wanted to shake him and tell him to loosen up! The story and Will's character became more interesting with Tabby's accident and Will's interactions with Korbet, the 5-year-old neighbor crushing on Tabby.

I found this book to be very emotionally powerful. It speaks out to all of us who may not look at life from the perspective of other people too often. Will is so focused on himself, his plans, his goals, his fears, that he often forgets to take the thoughts and feelings of others into consideration. If someone acts contrary to the way he feels one should act, then he dislikes that person. This book explores Will's journey in learning to live with an open mind, accepting others for who they are and not for who he wants them to be. It takes him a great deal of time and the experience of having his sister come close to death for him to begin to open his mind, and open his heart.

More serious than much of Spinelli's work, this novel still carries off his signature humor and style. The characters are both interesting and believable, and the story is engaging. More than sports, this novel also incorporates science and astronomy in a fashion that will add even more interest for young readers with a passing (or more than passing) interest in science. Simply, while I'm not sure that this is as quick-moving or humorous as Spinelli's shorter works, and while I'm not sure that it quite stands up to those other works, it is still quite wonderful and worthwhile.

Will Tuppence is a quirky, chess-playing, list-making, skateboarding, stargazing character! When the book opens, he gets a phone call from one of his two best friends, Mi-Su, who tells him to turn on the radio. Listening, Will hears that in a research facility in Yellowknife, Canada, scientists have recorded data that proves that protons can be destroyed. This causes Will to have some concerns - -when will his protons up and die on him? At what point will all the particles of Will no longer exist? And though he will obviously be dead by then, will he be an angel or spirit and aware of it? You might think this is a serious book -- but then, this is Jerry Spinelli, who adds in plenty of real-life situations: skateboarding down the show more infamous Deadman's Hill, annoying little sister Tabby, the every-Saturday-night Monopoly games and pizza with Mi-Su and BT and the inevitable teenage romance problems their triangle presents, the teachers who are detention-slip gods, and where to hide the Christmas presents so no one finds them. Will's experiences are funny, especially when he asks the five-year-old neighbor boy who has a crush on Tabby for romantic advice! 6th grade and up. show less

I love Jerry Spinelli, and although this isn't my favorite, it is a great read none the less. The poetry and science bits aligned to the characters could produce rich discussions. This nerdy teen Will tangles with the big questions of the secrets of life, and students who enjoy those type of characters will enjoy this book.