How can you pass up a book that has this opening line? "Ruby Hobbs came out of her room, dancing and singing, buck naked, again." Gotta take a look, right?
I have been a fan of Wendelin Van Draanen since reading her earlier book SWEAR TO HOWDY. It's the perfect book to grab the attention of middle school readers and hook them on the possibility of books. THE SECRET LIFE OF LINCOLN JONES is also such a book.
Lincoln and his mother have had to relocate. The reason - a man named Cliff. Lincoln's mother is determined that her son will never hide trembling under a bed again. Moving means a rundown apartment with no frills, a new school without Lincoln's old friends, and a new job with long hours for his mother.
School is awful, especially the bus ride every day. Lincoln is called names and pelted with tuna and other disgusting edible delights. The only person who speaks to him is Kandi Kain. Yep, that's really her name. She speaks to him way more than he likes, but he can't seem to discourage her.
After school every day Lincoln goes to Brookside, a residential facility for the elderly. As far as Lincoln is concerned, the people at Brookside are crazies. His mother doesn't like it when he calls them that, but the truth is most of them suffer from some form of dementia, and they act like loons. Lincoln does everything he can to keep the kids from knowing about where he goes every day after school.
Lincoln's life includes multiple secrets that are gradually revealed. Readers will enjoy the ride as they follow Lincoln through his adventures at school, at Brookside, and even in the rundown apartment building he now calls home. There's a lot for him to learn and a lot for readers to discuss in this thoughtful book by Wendelin Van Draanen.
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