Bookverdict.com

Gr 5–7—An average 10-year-old would likely pick up this book expecting a "Wimpy Kid" epigone—especially with the playful cover art. What Vaught has given readers instead is a highly didactic, heavy-handed approach to the topics of mental illness, genetics, Common Core, and gun control. This failure is compounded by the format: protagonist Footer's story ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Eleven-year-old Footer Davis's mother, Adele, is notorious in their small Mississippi hometown -- "she's a pretty thing," the neighbors say, "but she ain't right, bless her heart." After shooting off an elephant rifle in their backyard, Adele, who has bipolar disorder, is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, leaving Footer temporarily motherless. To distract herself from her mother's worsening condition, budding journalist Footer investigates a dramatic unsolved local crime -- som...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

After shooting off an elephant rifle in their backyard, eleven-year-old Footer's bipolar mother is admitted to a psychiatric hospital. To distr...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Footer is a sympathetic main character who has a sweet relationship with her best friend, a boy named Peavine. While the two kids try to find out who killed Footer's neighbor-and what happened to his grandkids-they're very supportive and protective of each other. Footer stands up for Peavine, who has cerebral palsy, and Peavine reassures Footer when she worries about her sanity. A conversati...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Footer is a sympathetic main character who has a sweet relationship with her best friend, a boy named Peavine. While the two kids try to find out who killed Footer's neighbor-and what happened to his grandkids-they're very supportive and protective of each other. Footer stands up for Peavine, who has cerebral palsy, and Peavine reassures Footer when she worries about her sanity. A conversati...Log In or Sign Up to Read More