One Whole and Perfect Day

LS 5623 Book Review
Printz Award or Honor Book

Bibliography
Clarke, Judith. 2007. ONE WHOLE AND PERFECT DAY. Asheville, NC : Front Street. ISBN 9781932425956

Plot Summary
Lily lives with her mother in Australia, her brother is attending college, and her grandparents live in a near by town. Lily longs to have a "proper family" where she knows her father and her brother and grandfather don't fight all the time. This wish is extended to have "one whole and perfect day" for her grandfather's eightieth birthday party. Lily tries to take steps to create the perfect day. As the story progresses we are introduced to Lonnie's (who is Lily's brother) girlfriend and her family.

Critical Analysis
This book's strength is the concerns that Lily has will echo with teenagers, everyone wants to have a "proper family". This book moves smoothly from character to character without losing the reader. Another strength of the book is that it touches on racial prejudices without being heavy handed. Lily is concerned about her grandfather's comments about the new Australians, this too will ring familiar with many teenagers who are looking across a generation gap of different attitudes.

A slight weakness of the book is how all the problems are wrapped up and solved neatly in the end. This takes away some of the reality of the story and pushes it into the feeling that this could only happen in a book. It does not go so far as to make the book unbelievable but, it does take away some of the feeling of truth.

Review Excerpts
BOOKLIST : "all of the family members, and many with whom they come into contact, reach new understanding about themselves and their lives, and all make both small and large changes for the better."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY (starred review) : "While Lily's voice dominates, this quiet, moving novel rapidly shifts points of view, giving each family member as well as several secondary characters a voice."

Michael J Printz Honor Book 2007
Best Books of 2008 YALSA

Connections
* Have students research an aspect of Australia.
* Have students create an imaginary celebration for someone in their family.