Smiles To Go by Jerry Spinelli

Paperback Edition

Smiles To Go by Jerry Spinelli is the 8th novel I've read by Jerry Spinelli... I hope I haven't forgotten about any of Spinelli's other novels I've read in the past 7 years.

Smiles To Go by Jerry Spinelli isn't my favorite novel written by Jerry Spinelli that I've read since I first discovered Spinelli's writing in 2010. But after reading Smiles To Go, I felt that it turned out to be a much better read than I initially thought it was going to be.

I loved the message that Jerry Spinelli conveys in Smiles To Go. Main character, Will Tuppence is a 9th grader and he takes life way too seriously... He never laughs out loud and he has his life planned to the dot... But life doesn't always go as planned and Will has to reassess life as it throws him some major curve balls. Will Will be able to make adjustments to life's curve balls?? Or will he flounder?? 

Favorite characters from Smiles To Go are Korbet Finn, who is a five year old boy and has a crush on Will's little sister, Tabby.... I love Korbet's tenacity! He is repeatedly rejected by Tabby, but will not be deterred in his love for her! Initially, I didn't like Tabby Tuppence, Will's younger, 5 year old sister. Tabby is a pain the behind for most of this novel and seems rather bratty for the most part. It isn't until towards the end of the novel when tragedy strikes, that my view of Tabby shifts to a more positive one of her.

The following is a plot summary for Smiles To Go by Jerry Spinelli from Amazon:

Ninth grader Will Tuppence is in control.

He plans everything obsessively, from the perfect stargazing night with his crush, Mi-Su, to the regular Saturday-night games of Monopoly with his friends. He's even planned his entire adulthood: career as an astronomer; mint condition, black 1985 Jaguar XJS/12; two kids. . . .

But everything changes the day Will learns one startling fact: protons—those tiny atomic particles, the building blocks to the building blocks of life—can die. The one thing that was so certain in this world to Will has an expiration date.

And Will's carefully planned-out life?

Not so certain, either.

I am giving Smiles To Go by Jerry Spinelli a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!