Ware ends up having to go to a holiday camp after his grandmother, Big Deal, falls and is unable to look after him. His parents think it will be good for him to spend time with other children but Ware much prefers his own company. At camp, he meets another child, Jolene, who is planting a garden. This becomes a joint project and when it comes under threat, Ware is determined to save it. This is a lovely, gentle story, that will be enjoyed by many children, especially those quieter ones who can relate to Ware.

This was a delightful book about what a person can do as well as finding the beauty in the world around us - and what we can do to help it.

A delicate, beautiful and subtle book that almost exists in a class of its own. The story of a young man who confuses his busy, outgoing parents by being quiet and thoughtful and preferring his own space. His 'introversion' is never really named, as an 'issue' it is dealt with in a very subtle way that lots of children would relate to. The children's project to bring nature back to the waste ground is beautifully told too.

I thought this was a wonderful book. Ware is a boy who is happiest being left alone, but his parents sign him up for a summer of Meaningful Social Interaction at the local community centre. One day he stumbles across a demolished church and discovers a girl creating a garden among the debris and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. I came away from this book with such a positive feeling and a goofy grin on my face. I would have loved to have read something like this when I was in middle school, especially as I was very similar to Ware at that age. As the publishers notes say, this is one for the introverts and dreamers.

This is such a great book that I think all school children should have the opportunity to be able to read. The message of acceptance of who you are was so greatly balanced with also acknowledging that lonelyness can still be experienced by anyone, regardless of how much self live you experience. Seeing the young characters discover things about themselves was so great and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The dynamic between parent and child at times did seemed strained which understandably does happen sadly for some children, and by including this and many unlikely hero's in the story I think the book will be relatable and be important to many children in similar situations who read it.