Life is a bit of a tumble for me just now, with the upcoming move and our son heading off to college this week, but I couldn’t resist giving this delightful book it’s moment in the spotlight.  Many thanks to my fellow MMGM reviewers for tipping me off to Here Lies Linc, and my apologies because I can’t remember which of you guys mentioned it!

So, what’s this book all about, anyway?  On looking at the cover, you might think it was about unearthing (or digging up) a boy named Linc.

And in a very tongue-in-cheek way, you’d be right.  Author Delia Ray tells the story from the pov of Linc, who has just switched schools, leaving behind a very small, quirky, pseudo-homeschool environment (the Ho-Hos) and transferring to a regular, mainstream junior high.  He’s trying to be a little more ‘normal’ and grow past the lifestyle of his nutty professor mom, who studies graves and is rather obsessed with them.  In the process…he almost digs himself a grave, both socially and physically.

This is another one of those book where it’d be easy to give away too much, so let me see what I can safely share.  I loved the intimate knowledge of graves and headstones that gets passed on by osmosis, as it were.  I loved the wry voice, and the way Linc (who’s been somewhat lacking in the supervising parent department) can hear the four old gentleman buried closest to his house grumbling over his behavior and discussing it amongst themselves.  I loved the twists of character in store for Linc as he evaluates his fellow residents of the junior high and takes stock of who these kids are.  I loved the wise way it deals with grief, and its message of healing, but I also loved that it never felt like a ‘message’ and kids of all backgrounds could absorb it without even knowing they had.  And perhaps most important, I loved that the story didn’t every feel slow or a bit boring, despite being a ‘straight’ contemporary, with no murders or mayhem to spice it up.  Though there is one very late-night visit to the graveyard, and a possible curse. 😀

Let’s see what Apricot-kitty has to say:

“The boy and his friends were alright, but my favorite part was the epitaphs.  I’ve been thinking over mine, and have decided that it should use the word sleek.  Where, I don’t care, just so long as it’s in there.”

Duly noted, and thanks for input!  Actually, that’s another thing I loved about the book–the head of each chapter has a tombstone with a real epitaph, and they are hilarious!  It’s easy to picture them as coming from Linc’s book of favorite epitaphs he’s collected since he was small.  If you race through the book (as I did) make sure you go back afterward and take time to savor them!

For more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spotlights, reviews, interviews and giveaways, stop by Shannon Messenger’s blog!

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