Reading Metrics
Description
Fifteen-year-old Baxter has a condition that enables him to remember absolutely everything, and now that he and his mother have moved, Baxter hopes to reconnect with a girl he has been thinking about since kindergarten.
Quick Summary
The premise of Baxter's perfect memory is what makes this book really stick with you it's not a superhero story, it's the kind of "what if" question any kid might wonder about, except it comes with some seriously awkward consequences. Imagine being unable to forget that time you tripped in the cafeteria in third grade, or replaying every conversation with someone you like until you're sure you said something weird. That's Baxter's life, and it's both funny and kind of heartbreaking when his gift makes simple middle school stuff feel impossible. There's some family stuff going on that adds real depth, and Baxter's determination to reconnect with this girl he's been thinking about for years gives the whole thing a sweet, genuine center. Kids who like stories about everyday middle school drama with a twist will probably really connect with this one, and reluctant readers tend to get pulled in by how fast it reads once they start. If you've read "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda," this has that same mix of humor and heart, though with a totally different hook. Parents can rest easy it's mostly just sweet and occasionally awkward in the way that age tends to be.