Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Lucius and his family moved to a new house after he caused an explosion which destroyed his family’s home. Aurora and her father moved to a new house because her mom passed away after a long illness. A new school year has started, and both Lucius and Aurora have to adjust to a different school. However, Lucius is considered the freak because he has hooks for hands, due to the explosion. Aurora is the girl everyone wants to be friends with. The first day of school, they make an instant connection, which they try to ignore. Lucius is treated as an outcast by most of the students and even the teachers. Later in the book, many of the students audition for the school musical, “Grease”. Aurora gets the lead, but Lucius doesn’t get a part. In a brilliant move, the insightful theater teacher realizes that Lucius has good organizational skills and makes him the stage manager. The real question the book asks is can a “perfect” girl and a social outcast be friends or more?!
I loved, loved, loved this book! It has a “Beauty and the Beast” type plot. It has some surprising elements—Lucius shows he has true leadership skills. Despite his disability, he reaches such a level of maturity that he ends up helping others who don’t realize they need his help. Aurora is a great listener and shows great compassion for others, something her late mother instilled in her. Her father, the school librarian, is a fantastic “Mr. Mom”! The characters were so well-developed; the plot was well-thought out! The book had a happy ending, which is a real bonus these days! I highly recommend it for high school and public libraries!
I loved, loved, loved this book! It has a “Beauty and the Beast” type plot. It has some surprising elements—Lucius shows he has true leadership skills. Despite his disability, he reaches such a level of maturity that he ends up helping others who don’t realize they need his help. Aurora is a great listener and shows great compassion for others, something her late mother instilled in her. Her father, the school librarian, is a fantastic “Mr. Mom”! The characters were so well-developed; the plot was well-thought out! The book had a happy ending, which is a real bonus these days! I highly recommend it for high school and public libraries!
This book was named by the American Library Association to the 2010 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list.
Look for my booktrailer soon!
