The Bookworm says... Yes! Every Single Second by Tricia Springstubb is utterly fantastic! Nella is twelve years old, and she feels like her life is falling apart. Her once "secret sister", Angela, can barely be considered an acquaintance. Her new best friend, Clem, is completely focused on how to spend the "leap second"- a second that is being added to the official world clock. With her two closest friends feeling further and further away, Nella begins to feel truly alone. Angela's older brother makes a mistake that turns everything upside down, and forces Nella to make some choices. Stand up or stand by? She tries to act with Angela's interests in mind, but also following her heart. Can she really trust what her heart has to say?
Every Single Second, as I said above, is utterly fantastic. In a society where racial divides tear us apart, it is absolutely essential that we acknowledge this fatal flaw. Books are the perfect way to examine the problem and spread awareness, especially to middle grade readers. My only problem with this book is that I felt the first hundred or so pages were extremely confusing and I felt that the confusion lingered throughout most of the book. With that trivial detail set aside, I have nothing but pure admiration for this book. A must read for all children- the children who wonder why hate grips our nation so strongly.
"Forward! That is the way of our cosmos. The future is urgent, irresistible, and majestic."