Why did it take me so long to read this book? Because right after I started it I got a bunch of other new books and they all seemed a lot more exciting. I'm sorry, Willowood. You're a good little story with a lot of heart, but you are also a not a stand-out title in my Mock Newbery reading.

Just for fun, let me transcribe the notes I took while I was reading this: "Lily. Moving from small town to city. Friendship tested. Love of lizards. Absent father. Mother smokes. Willowood = Terabithia-like special place. Picky eater. Coffee drinker. Target of school bullies. Dodgeball. Pet store job. Adult friend with Down syndrome. Hatching lizard eggs. Superman. Alice in Wonderland. Unconventional family."

Ah. That was easier than trying to sum up the plot. Mock Newbery review here: http://blogs.kcls.org/newbery/2010/06/willowood.html ( )

Advance copy. ( )

Good characters. Bullying, character with Downs, friendship, adjusting to a new town, school, iguana eggs.
A story that has been written before but with good characters. ( )