I wasn't going to leave a written review because I didn't have anything special to say, but then the conclusion came and I had to speak up.
This book has fantastic morals. Most other books I've read with the theme of parental neglect only portray the child as a victim, and someone who needs healing. It's often a lot more about accepting hard things than changing them.
Whit is a really good example of how I was at his age. Unassertive, passive. Desperately afraid of upsetting anyone. And this book is a really good example of how someone like Whit—someone like me—can grow, can become more assertive. Maybe it's not everyone else's fault for ignoring you. Maybe you just need to speak up. I really really appreciate the author for writing this book. I think kids need more stories like this, stories that reccomend action and character growth instead of the inevitability of nature and nurture.