A Crooked Kind of Perfect review

Ten-year-old Zoe Elias dreams of playing a baby grand piano at Carnegie Hall. But when Dad ventures to the music store and ends up with a wheezy organ instead of a piano, Zoe's dreams hit a sour note. Learning the organ versions of old TV theme songs just isn't the same as mastering Beethoven on the piano. And the organ isn't the only part of Zoe's life that's off-kilter, what with Mom constantly at work, Dad afraid to leave the house, and that odd boy, Wheeler Diggs, following her home from school every day. Yet when Zoe enters the annual Perform-O-Rama organ competition, she finds that life is full of surprises and that perfection may be even better when it's just a little off center. (goodreads summary)

I found this delightful book at our local library the other day. It is not a new one but not old either. What caught my eye was the front cover!  It reminded me of a pair of socks I owned when I was in grade school.  After reading the jacket, I was expecting something cute and it turned out to be a good choice. There are many diverse characters in this book that will make it a fun and enjoyable read.  Zoe dreams of playing the piano at Carnegie Hall in a beautiful ball gown and tiara. Her life is suppose to be that way but then there is her reality.  Zoe's family issues may seem heavy but the book stays light to the end. Her mom is a workaholic and her dad has anxiety of leaving the safety of their home and also has trouble going shopping (they have 432 rolls of TP in the basement).  Zoe keeps alot of feelings to herself but manages to work through them with understanding and acceptance in a mature way.  She looses a best friend but gains an unlikely one from a boy in her class who offers much needed support when the day arrives for the Perform-O-Rama.  This book is funny, light-hearted and sweet. It focuses on the study of music, family and friendships that together will lead up to a wonderful outcome for Zoe.  It was nice finding a gentle, clean read by accident. This would be a "just right book" for grades 4-6.~

Title: A Crooked Kind of Perfect
Author: Linda Urban
Genre: fiction
Pub. Date: September 2007, Harcourt, Inc.
Hardcover, 211 pages