#andrewsmith

The Size of the Truth by Andrew Smith. Simon & Schuster, 2020. 9781534419568. 288pp. http://www.powells.com/book/-9781534419568?partnerid=34778&p_bt

On Thanksgiving, when he was four, Sam fell into an abandoned well in Blue Creek, TX. He couldn't really remember what happened when he fell, but now he can. It involves a talking armadillo, and it's pretty weird.

Now Sam is eleven and starting the eighth grade. (He should be in sixth but he skipped a few grades.) James Jenkins, the eight grader who kinda caused Sam to fall into the well, looks like a murderer. Sam has scary dreams about him. He's destined to be a high school football star, and he's in Sam's homeroom.

Image from publisher’s website

Bye, Bye Blue Creek by Andrew Smith

Release: October 13, 2020

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books (for YR)

*I received a free, digital ARC of this title from Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. All opinions contained within this review are my own.* 

I’m incredibly biased when it comes to books by Andrew Smith. I had the opportunity to meet him a few years ago (out of the kindness of his heart, we had a three hour coffee house chat) as well as attend a couple of his author events. I think, at this point, I have read every single one of his books (minus one short story collection he’s featured in). I am delighted to be able to review his newest book - Bye, Bye Blue Creek!

This newest book is a continuation of Sam Abernathy’s pre-Stand-Off middle grade adventures that started with The Size of the Truth (2019; you can read my review here). Sam is a few weeks away from heading off to Pine Mountain (his new boarding school), where he will be a twelve-year-old freshman (the horror) away from his family (the freedom and terror). However, he has to find a way to say good-bye to his friends, come to terms with his claustrophobia, and handle the creepy new family that moved into Blue Creek’s infamous haunted house! What kind of shenanigans will he get into before he’s off to school!? 

Just as with The Size of the Truth, you’ll see similarly feelings reflected in this review. Abernathy is adorably naive, yet also sophisticated for a twelve-year-old. He has high hopes, big dreams, and wants to break out of the expectations people have put upon him. Can’t we all relate similarly on a base level? Sam continues to show us how wonderful it is to grow up and discover while simultaneously having fun, learning new skills, and ultimately, standing up for oneself in times of change. 

     Uno de sus amigos lo había invitado a tomar unas cervezas a su casa aquella noche, por lo que luego de tomarse un rápido baño se dirigió al lugar a pie. Aún le dolía el pómulo derecho por el golpe que había recibido horas antes. Siempre que terminaba borracho en algún bar de la ciudad, no encontraba mayor diversión que agarrarse a golpes con cualquiera lo suficiente mal humorado como para seguirle la corriente.

     Entró a la casa sin golpear, sintiendo las risas escandalosas de sus amigos del otro lado de la puerta. Una docena de latas de cerveza vacías yacían en el suelo junto al sofá, donde todos se hallaban reunidos, observando un partido de fútbol. Andrew los saludó a todos con una fuerte palmada en el hombro y se sentó a un lado de Michael, el dueño de la casa, que inmediatamente le tendió una cerveza.

     Llevaba apenas tomada la mitad de su contenido cuando Teresa, la novia de Michael, entró en la sala de estar. Llevaba una bandeja de galletas recién horneadas y su semblante era serio pero sereno, sin un rastro de maquillaje. Andrew la observó mientras se acercaba a ellos y dejaba la bandeja sobre la mesa, deseando alejarse rápidamente de allí, pero el fuerte agarre de Michael la mantuvo en el lugar.

     La chica intentó zafarse, pero su novio la atrajo hacia sí, obligándola a sentarse sobre su regazo. Las manos de éste recorrieron sus piernas sin una pizca de delicadeza, riéndose mientras los demás decían cosas sin sentido. Andrew aún estaba muy sobrio para ignorar aquello, por lo que se puso en pie de inmediato. “Eh... Teresa, ¿me traes un vaso de agua?”