It’s May, and summer is peeking around the corner, with the promise of free hours and long trips in the car. Today’s spotlight is on Smile!, which seemed to fit the nearly-there-why-can’t-summer-start thing we’ve got going on around here. This is a super simple little book that caught my eye, and made me pick it up. I kept reading because I wondered if my nephews would enjoy it–an author aunt feels the need to provide a constant stream of cool books–and found it a quick, easy read for one sitting.

In the story a plane crash leaves Flash the only survivor in a remote part of the world. He is mildly hurt, but rescued by two kids from a nearby village, and while healing must choose how to use the ten precious Polaroid photos that are all which remain of his camera gear. He agonizes over which pictures to take, and ends up making many of the choices in part in order to oblige his new friends–but always manages to take them with a clever twist.

My feelings as I read were somewhat complicated by my adult perspective. Where had he landed? Why did no one look for him? Why was he not in a bigger hurry to get home–especially where he had no injuries to speak of beyond the first day or two? Even more odd was his ability to communicate with this remote people who had never seen a camera and yet spoke flawless English.

Some of these questions get resolved, or are given a nod, in the twist ending that has hints of magic realism. But even then, the discrepancies weren’t fully addressed and as a result the book comes across as a bit shallow. It also feels a dated in its approach to the primitive people with whom Flash stays, drawing on cliches and convenient circumstances.

However, the bottom line is the book is a fun, easy read that many a kid would be willing to pick up and dive in to when they may not be ready for meatier stuff. In other words, a great book to get a kid read, forging the habits that will open all the doors to other books. I also enjoyed the photographer perspective as the story is told through Flash’s eyes, both in the way he discusses light and perspective, and also the way he views the world through his cameras. In this respect his artistic voice is very authentic, as he strives to show his subjects in the most illuminating way.

Now, let’s see what Apricot-kitty made of it:

“You readily believe the dog’s sad face when he pretends I’ve stolen food from his dish, so I’m not surprised you swallowed this whole. Me, I think it stinks like poorly buried waste.”

I did say it was a bit far-fetched, didn’t I? But truth be told I think that kids could really enjoy a discussion of the ‘magic realism’ aspects to this story, and the questions it brings up but doesn’t address. So as long as you head into it knowing what you’re getting, I recommend this story for a quick and fun read-aloud that will intrigue kids with the big question of where Flash will use his dwindling supply of precious photos. I could even see it getting read in the car, and then sparking a family photo contest with the challenge of who can collect the best ten pics!

For the full round up of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews, spotlights, interviews and giveaways go to Greg Pattridge’s blog, and happy reading!

Share, share away: