For months, I feel like I have been reading about the middle grade novel, See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles.

First the book was featured as part of a book discussion held by Jen Vincent and Colby Sharp at Teach Mentor Text.

Then I learned more about the lovely Jo Knowles through my participation in Kate Messner’s amazing community of summer writing, Teachers Write.

And then See You at Harry’s appeared on the wonderfully talented Meg Medina‘s Girls of Summer 2012 reading list.

The universe apparently wanted me to read See You at Harry’s.

I began the book during the late afternoon. Having taken a break for mothering (you know, dinner and bedtime) around 10pm, already past my bed time, I began sobbing. And then, I absolutely, positively had to stay awake until I had finished. Until I knew that “all would be well”.

We get up really early around here so we are really good about going to bed early. I almost never stay up late. But I couldn’t help it. This is a book that you almost must read in one sitting. The writing and the story are just that good.

Now though, before you get too excited and run off to order the book, it is terribly, terribly sad. And the sad seems to come out of nowhere. If you are not a sad book reader, I really need to warn you. You can’t say I didn’t. But if you can handle the sad, please read this book. I can’t seem to stop thinking about it.

And I’d like to talk about it with people. My biggest question is how this book is read by children. As a mother, I found the sadness nearly unbearable. I imagine that children would not feel the same way.

Thoughts?