Watching Jimmy by Nancy Hartry -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Hartry, Nancy Watching Jimmy, 152 pgs. Tundra Books, 2009. $16.95. Language: PG-13 (20+ swears); sexual content: PG-13 (threatened molestation of a child); violence: PG-13.

HS -- NOT RECOMMENDED

When Jimmy suffers severe brain damage, everyone believes Uncle Ted's story about him falling off the swing when it was at its peak. But Jimmy's friend Carolyn knows the whole truth because she was there. Rather than telling on the scary Uncle Ted, however, the 11yo grits her teeth and helps care for the damaged Jimmy. But the world is filled with good people, and she soon finds that others can be just as altruistic as she.

This was a short but disturbing read that could interest some fans of dark realistic fiction. Although some of the twists were far-fetched -- especially the good luck that fell in Carolyn's lap several times -- the message that there are good people in the world is comforting. Unfortunately, finding an audience for the book could be difficult, as the topics are far too advanced for an elementary school crowd, and many high school students will be turned off by the use of an 11yo character's perspective. In addition, the choice of setting -- 1958 Canada -- means many of the references will be obscure for a modern American audience, especially since little to no background is given for any of them.

In truth, the above made the book OPTIONAL all the way up until the end, when Carolyn made the conscious decision not to report Uncle Ted's attempted sexual molestation of her because she felt her loved-ones shouldn't be burdened with that knowledge. Instead, she decides it would be most noble to simply get over it and move on. Not an encouraging or helpful example for students who may be in a similar position. Also, Uncle Ted is never truly punished for what happened to Jimmy. Instead, he simply disappears, and the other characters shrug him off with a comment that he may come back but they can handle him this time for certain. Alas, there is no evidence that they can, and the lack of resolution without the promise of a sequel leaves the reader with an uneasy feeling, as does the fact that Jimmy has only a slim (and expensive) chance of being cured. Perhaps the addition of an epilogue would have helped.

Reviewer: Caryn