Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

This is the start of my Teen Lit Con book binge. In preparation for TLC Twin Cities, I’ve tried to read as many featured authors as possible. Not only is this book a fantastic, well-written young adult book—it should be required reading for every teacher. Travis thinks of himself as a “bluefish,” the dumb-looking blue fish from Suess’s One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish book. Both of Travis’s parents are dead and he lives with his alcoholic grandpa. As if things weren’t bad enough, Travis’s dog runs away and he has to move to a new town—and away from the woods he’s known most of his life. At his new school, he meets Velveeta, who is facing loss of her own. Travis and Velveeta become friends and begin to help each other survive daily life in high school, but each is keeping their own secrets. Through their friendship and with a little kindness from observant adults, Travis and Velveeta find their way. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about lost parents, death/grieving, alcoholism, school struggles, and friendship. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—Travis and Velveeta are characters you want to cheer for and find out all of their secrets.