5th grader Albie has always been “almost”. Emails and letters home from school are full of words he has a hard time trying to understand: “potential, struggling, achievement gap.” He notices that while he tries, he’s always a little bit slower, just a little bit behind, and almost, always “almost”, no matter what it is. People, social situations, and school – mostly math and reading – it’s all so challenging and Albie doesn’t understand why or how to fix it. Starting a new school this year, Albie feels “if somebody told me what the rules were, I’d be fine” (32) but of course, that’s not the way life works and Albie has to figure it all out on his own. He does have help though, in his quirky, cool “not-babysitter” Calista, his best friend Erlan, new friend Betsy, and his Math teacher, Mr. Clifton. Despite his struggles, one day at a time Albie doggedly faces life’s challenges – sometimes frustrated, sometimes confused – often questioning who he is, why he is where he is, and wondering if trying hard is really ever going to matter. And wouldn’t you know it, one day at a time, owning his story, being who he is, and trusting his own inner voice helps Albie realize that “you can’t get where you’re going without being where you’ve been” (84).
Subtle, graceful, and wise beyond its seemingly straightforward style, Absolutely Almost is one of those books whose insight and humor, honesty and humanity, and strength and vulnerability will have an impact on anyone fortunate enough to get to know Albie.
- Posted by Cori