Paul, Big and Small by David Glen Robb - ADVISABLE

 

Paul, Big and Small by David Glen Robb, 336 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2019. $18. 

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Paul is short, which garners the attention of the high school bullies.  Although Paul has tried to blend in and not be seen, his abilities at rock climbing attract some attention in a good way and he befriends a tall girl named Lily Small.  Lily gets Paul to join her and a friend named Sam on a rock-climbing team and Paul’s new friends teach him all sorts of new life lessons. This group of high schoolers, along with my favorite character Big, become good friends as they navigate the ups and downs of high school. 

Paul is a great protagonist who’s coming of age journey seems genuine. Paul has to deal with uncomfortable life circumstances, but he does it in a realistic way.  Big, Tall and Sam are endearing minor characters who have their own stories which keeps the story moving forward and creates drama.  My only semi-complaint is that the author tries to take on all the heavy topics such as bullying, cancer, mental illness, and suicide, which was a bit heavy and forced.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson