The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley

Reviewed by: Kathy George - Gray Public Library, Gray, Me , Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 12, 2018

Review

Frances Pauley is and observer of nature, just like her idol, Margaret Mead. In the rocks behind her house, she has fashioned a "rock room" where she is most comfortable. She has few friends save her bus driver, Alvin, who validates her and her thoughts. When she loses Alvin, she feels she is alone until she lets those around her in and hears Alvin's words that guide her . Stevens novel is heartbreaking, painful and heartwarming, and shows that one can reach out and form friendships with others without losing one's true self. The world is big enough for both. Pair this with Holly Goldberg's Sloan's Counting by 7s and Jennifer Holm's The Fourteenth Goldfish.

Overall Book Score: excellent