This is one of the new Mark Twain nominees. It centers around a leaf-collecting project that Gianna, the main character, has to complete in order to raise her science grade and be allowed to compete in a track competition. Gianna, the consummate procrastinator, has lots going on in her life--track practice, a family funeral home, a pesky younger brother, busy mother, and aging grandmother. When deadlines for her science project come and go, some major family event is always keeping Gianna from finishing as she wants to.As things progress in the story, Gianna's grandmother becomes a major source of her concern--her memory seems to be slipping, and she has episodes where she "leaves earth" as Gianna calls it.
Another uplifting story with sad undertones, this book is all about accepting oneself and one's family. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in realistic fiction for upper elementary school girls. It's appeal to boys is less obvious, but some of the zany things that happen to Gianna will keep them entertained as well.
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