By: Lindsey Leavitt
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Published: March 2011; Bloomsbury USA
Source: ARC from publisher
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Summary (from Goodreads): According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object—an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas—it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known him.
The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.
In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.
My Review:
Oh gosh I loved this book. I try really hard when I read a book I love not to gush all over it, but somewhere deep down inside my tender little heart, this book struck a chord. I feel like in many ways, Lindsey Leavitt perfectly captured my high school experience. Oftentimes when I'm reading a YA book in which a good portion of the book takes place in a high school setting, I think, "Umm... Who in the world had a high school experience like that? I didn't!"
I didn't have anything nearly as traumatic happen during my high school years as Payton did with her dad; however, I had my fair share of drama. There were times my relationship with my parents was strained. I felt guilty that it was strained, I wanted it to be the perfect relationship that I saw with my friends, but it just wasn't. Over and over again in this book I found little bits of truth in what Peyton was going through.
Jac was a great best friend character. Was she over the top? Yes, at times. But, she was Peyton's cheerleader and pushed her to places that she wasn't comfortable. But, Peyton needed it.
Another thing that rung true for me in this book that I don't often see in fiction is that while all Peyton's family issues are going on, her grades slip. As you would expect for a teenage girl going through an intense time of grief and change. And yet, it is so rarely mentioned in fiction. The high school experience of test-taking, homework and academics is so consuming when you are involved in it, and I certainly don't expect that a novel should burden itself with mentioning the hum-drum of every aspect of daily life, but in a story like this one, it was absolutely important.
And then there is Sean. I think part of the reason that this book endeared itself so much to me is because of Sean. He reminds me so much of my husband. I met my husband in high school, although we didn't know each other well. When I met him again as an adult I remember saying to someone that I remembered him, he was quiet, nice, and a little dorky. But I really didn't KNOW him. The progression of Sean and Peyton's relationship is so natural it's like pure gold. And I loved every minute of it. And, like my husband, Sean is so kind, caring and while not perfect, he is perfect for Peyton.
I really hope you all will get a copy of this book. I loved it, and I can't wait to read more from Lindsey.
My Rating:
I also have a copy of Sean Griswold's Head to give away courtesy of Bloomsbury USA! This giveaway is open to US addresses only, and will close on Friday, March 18 at 12 pm EST. Fill out the form below to enter, or by clicking here:
