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"Click" by Linda Sue Park

Author:

Linda Sue Park

ISBN:

978-0-439-41138-7

Publisher:

Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks., 2007

Reviewed by:

Lisa Langsdorf, Children's Librarian, Kenosha Public Library

Gr. 5-9 The main characters Maggie and Jason are well developed by this team of talented writers. We meet Maggie as a young child and Jason as a rebellious teenager after the death of their beloved Grandfather, Gee. This story is about the path each one takes to discover the many truths about their Grandfather’s life. Throughout the story, each author gives a new twist to the characters and some of them challenge us with their characterization; is Annie really a mermaid, or just a child with special needs? We will never know. We jump though the lives of Jason and Maggie from childhood until death. Maggie and Jason have each been given a very different inheritance. Jason was given Gee’s autographed photos and his old camera. Jason discovers the true power of photography, and eventually begins to accept who he is and how he can also change the world one person at a time. Jason begins his quest to get the most out of life until his quest causes his death years later. Maggie gets a set of shells, with the quest to return them to the oceans from which they came. Maggie’s challenge will take a lifetime to complete. There is a bit of history, a bit of art, a bit science fiction and a glimpse into the distant future. The story flows from one author to the next without a break. Readers will enjoy the different views and discoveries that each chapter brings. This book would make a good discussion selection. There is a lot of material to choose from because of the variety of writing styles in this text. This would make a good example of cooperative writing. This is a book that will be enjoyed by readers of who enjoy many different genres.