The first thing I want to say about this book is that the author has a seventh grader's voice pitch perfect. Louise, who has changed her name to Thumbelina because she is so small, lives with her grandparents after some sort of trauma in her family. Her best friends are brother and sister Henderson and Reni. She has recently moved in with her grandparents - who are certainly unique individuals - and changed schools. She used to love gymnastics but doesn't do them anymore because she is being harassed by other girls on the squad.The main focus of this story is a sort of mystery. Someone is leaving Thumb notes and other indications of regard. Her best friend Reni decides that it is the pizza delivery boy - Benny, who is a ninth grader at her school. She immediately starts making plans to get Benny to invite her to the upcoming dance. They find out where he lives and "casually" walk by his house. Reni puts a note which she and Thumbelina wrote together in his locker. They buy him a cute bumper sticker for his locker. They go to his house on the excuse of selling magazines in case he answers to door. Reni is sure that Thumb has a crush on Benny. Thumb is not sure she does. After all, the last crush she had was on Frosty the Snowman when she was six.While the girls are doing their plotting and planning, Henderson is there as a sturdy and secure best friend to Thumb. Careful readers will know who was leaving the things for Thumb to find long before she figures it out. The startling reason for Thumb's change of name, change of address, and almost change of personality and her gradual recover make this a very heart warming story. I recommend it for thoughtful readers and think it is a great pick for a mother daughter book club.
