Eighth-grader Travis--who was called "Bluefish" at his old school--begins a tenuous friendship with classmate Velveeta in a novel about breaking molds and making your own future.
Short alternating chapters from Travis's and Velveeta's points of view will quickly hook even kids who think of themselves as nonreaders. Travis prefers the quiet of the woods, but he finds Velveeta, with her rapid-fire quips, appealing as an easy conversationalist. Velveeta notices Travis's strengths in ways perhaps no one else has--such as his innate sense of justice. And when she discovers his secret, she accepts him just as he is. This inspiring novel demonstrates how two teens with survivor instincts and a little guidance from a couple of perceptive adults choose a different path than the one they were born into. Schmatz keeps their situation realistic while also emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities when they present themselves. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness