Pay Attention, Carter Jones
by Gary D. Schmidt
Realistic Fiction
Tween
* * * Stars (Pretty good)
Carter Jones and his family have been left the service of a butler in his grandfather’s will (and also an eggplant colored Bentley). Just in time to help them whip their household into order, too. The butler is unforgivingly English and his attempts to instill English ways and sensibilities into the family occasionally meet with some resistance. But, when he commandeers the football field for cricket practice, he creates a heretofore unkown passion for the game in students, teachers, and parents alike. Which is good, because Carter could use some friends and a distraction from the loss, guilt, and anger he’s feeling when he learns that his father isn’t coming back to them. Decent. And, after listening to this, I *almost* understand cricket!
Reviewed by YA Librarian
