It's the summer of 1968. The Apollo missions are preparing US astronauts to send a man to the moon, Joe Pepitone's hat lies somewhere in a ditch and Doug is moving to Marysville, New York for eighth grade. It's got to be better than this right?
Sure the new house is a dump, there is nothing to do in town and Doug has to share a room with his older brother (who stole Joe Pepitone's hat) again. Although his dad has a job at the lumber mill, and with his old friend Ernie Eco is back in the picture, it seems like trouble is near. His mom is not happy with this, however she silently puts the house together, doing the best she can in a rough situation. Doug wonders how his older brother, stationed in Vietnam, will find them now that they have moved.
Marysville may be a nowhere town, however Doug has found some unlikely activities. For starters, there is his job delivering groceries for the deli, which pays $5 a Saturday (with tips). Of course, he also fills his time looking at (and drawing) Audubon's Birds of America, on display at the local library. Finally there is Lil, someone who might just be a good friend.
Of course, things can't always be good, can they? For every step forward, Doug's life seems to take a step back. Mysterious crimes keep happening around town, and the most likely suspect is Doug's brother. His father is rarely home, and it's not like things are better when he is at home. People in town look down on him based on his family, even at school. Doug still has hope, to rise above his family and to maybe fly away like one of those birds in the painting.
Okay For Now is a great book that has something for everyone. Full of small town characters, from two very different librarians to an eccentric playwright, Doug has a great world outside of his home to play in. Doug it a pretty heartbreaking character, who is optimistic and realistic. He may be in a bad situation, and he might even know that things are not okay, but he is doing the best he can. You might find yourself crying for one part and laughing at the next, but Doug is always hopeful and surprising.
Even if you haven't read The Wednesday Wars, pick this book up. Doug had a bit part in the first book, so you don't need to read the first to get this one (on the other hand, read The Wednesday Wars you won't regret it.)
I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Reading a "grown up" book right now, and will be back to YA reading soon!)