Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli does it again. In this book, he captures the thoughts and feelings of an everyday 9th grader who has a particular interest in science. When Will Tuppence discovers that protons can die,(because up until now, he thought they would live forever and so even when he died, a part of Will Tuppence would still remain) his whole world begins to fall apart. He becomes obsessed with the proton and with falling in love and with star gazing and playing chess and it isn’t until his annoying little sister has a terrible accident that he finally realizes what’s really important in life. He finally realizes that it’s okay we’re not going to live forever—that things don’t go on forever. He learns to live each day and relish in the moment here and now…advice that’s good for all of us to heed. Two thumbs way up for this tween novel.