I enjoyed this book, despite the second storyline that didn't make sense until the end. It was interesting to see the dynamics of a family who has lost a son and the way that this might affect a teenage boy and his friends. I wish that it hadn't ended so abruptly, but it was nice to hang out in Cullen's head for a little while, even if he did have some strange quirks.

Fabulously written. Unique story. Random and quirky, which I like a lot. Favorite quotation: "Life, he says, doesn't have to be so bad all the time. We don't have to be so anxious about everything. We can just be. We can get up, anticipate that the day will probably have a few good moments and a few bad ones, and then just deal with it. Take it all in and deal as best we can (p. 127)."

This a poignant bittersweet book that readers should stick with. It does reward. One of these marvelous ya books that adults (whatever that means) will like. I did.

Bizarre and beautiful. The book of Enoch? The Lazarus bird? A quadriplegic ex-boyfriend? You must read it to appreciate it.

2012 Michael L. Printz winner