Description:

From the critically acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook , Leslie Connor, comes a deeply poignant and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope. Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write. Mason’s learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family’s orchard. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can’t understand why Lieutenant Baird won’t believe the story Mason has told about that day. Both Mason and his new friend, tiny Calvin Chumsky, are relentlessly bullied by the other boys in their neighborhood, so they create an underground haven for themselves. When Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself in trouble again. He’s desperate to figure out what happened to Calvin and, eventually, Benny. But will anyone believe him? National Book Award Finalist * ALA Schneider Family Book Award * 2019 ALSC Notable Children’s Book * Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018 * 2019-2020 Nebraska Golden Sower Award * Amazon Best Books of 2018 * Kirkus Best of Children's 2018 * New York Public Library Best Books 2018 * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2018 * 2018 Nerdy Book Club Middle Grade Winner * South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee * 2020 Colorado Children's Book Award Nominee **

Review

Narrator Andrew Eiden's slow pace and soft tone perfectly depict the character of twelve-year-old Mason Buttle. The rhythm in Eiden's narration captures Mason's storytelling voice...Listeners will be captivated by Mason's sincerity and gentleness...Eiden deftly portrays Mason's bewilderment and his gradual understanding of how he is perceived by the world, as well as the humanity of those who support his tender spirit. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award. -- "AudioFile"

Poignant and suspenseful, Mason's story crystalizes an adolescent boy's joys and fears as he comes into his own. -- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"

Connor's gift for creating complex characters extends to the supporting characters and makes this a compelling read. -- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

A poignant underdog tale that will resonate with many young readers. -- "School Library Journal (starred review)"

Connor's portrayal of Mason is spot-on, and the seventh-grader's honesty shines through as his greatest attribute...Provides a thoughtful look at human nature, resilience, and love. -- "Booklist"

Mason's astonishing voice will grab you from the first page as he demonstrates how children with learning disabilities who 'think outside the box' find brilliant ways to survive bullying, be a good friend, and save their families. -- "Cammie McGovern, author of Just My Luck"

A book that breaks your heart and heals it-all in one. Mason's story is brilliantly told. This is an astonishing book! -- "Kirby Larson, author of Hattie Big Sky"

Could I love a character more than I love Mason Buttle? Nope. Could this book have captured my heart any more? Impossible. -- "Barbara O'Connor, author of How to Steal a Dog"

About the Author

Leslie Connor is the author of several award-winning books for children, including Waiting for Normal , winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award, All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook , Crunch , Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel , and the young adult novels Dead on Town Line and The Things You Kiss Goodbye. She lives in the Connecticut woods with her family and three rescue dogs. You can visit her online at LeslieConnor.com