A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Reader reviewed by Randi

I did not read anything on this book prior to adding it to my list. I simply went off a recommendation off a book discussion board that I participate on. I didn't realize that this book was a very young reader, and that it was also very short. However, like I mentioned before, for every short book I read, I have an equally long one to follow up with. After starting this book, I wasn't even going to use it towards my count, but after listening to it, I will keep it in my count, simply because it was so enjoyable, I will probably listen to it again later.

So this book is about a 10 year old girl named Zoe, and she desperately wants to learn to play the piano. Instead, her harebrained dad gets her an organ. He sends her to lessons at the senior center, where instead of actually playing an instrument, she gets to practice on a cardboard picture of a keyboard. After four weeks of this practice, her dad decides that she can no longer take these lessons. Not because they aren't doing her any good, but because he worries about getting her to the lessons. On Monday, he starts worrying about the weather on Thursday. Will there be too much traffic, will they get lost? He worries so much, he decides he just can't drive her anymore and instead gets her a private instructor at their house, so he does not have to leave.

Her dad takes all of these home based courses that are just ridiculous to normal people. Classes that teach you how to cook for friends and family and make a profit, or various other oddness. But in this, he is blissfully happy. Zoe does not see these as short comings, but just ways that help make her dad great. I especially liked when they were at the hotel room, and her dad had packed his own cleaning supplies, or in the start of the book when Zoe goes into why her dad is not aloud to do the shopping because once he went out, and bought all the toilet paper at the store, because the deal was so great. He was so excited about the sale, that they have 498 rolls of TP in their basement.

Zoe reminds me of myself when I was 10/11. She was sort of awkward and didn't have many friends. The friends that she does have, tend to find cooler friends to hang out with, but give her the opportunity to still sit with them at the lunch table, of course, until she finds a new best friend. 

Zoe's drive, motivation and dreams are enough alone to make this book so very worth the read, and why I am keeping it on my list, although it is very short. It was a very pleasant read, and I do recommend it.

Reader reviewed by greekzaz

I love the book! :) It is an awsome book. I love how Zoe dreams of playing at Carnegie Hall and then when her dad buys her the Organ, it's like reality comes crashing down. I enjoyed how Zoe puts up with the Organ instead of the piano, showing her different things. I love how  it sounds like Zoe is speaking, the book is in her words instead of the author just tellings us. It really helps you feel the character!I highly recomend this book!

Reader reviewed by Chantele

Ten year-old Zoe, is a girl who dreams of owning a piano. She also
dreams of being a child prodigy, and playing a grand piano, dressed in
a beautiful gown, at Carnegie Hall. The only problem is, Zoe's life is
a little upside down. Her dad is afraid of crowds, and almost anyone
not in his family, her mom is a workaholic and is never home, her best
friend dumps her for a new best friend, and the school bully suddenly
starts hanging out at her house, baking cookies with her dad every day.
To top it all off, her father goes to buy her a piano, and instead,
brings home an electric organ, complete with lessons. What is she
supposed to do with an organ?
This book was such a fun read. Great
for younger readers, but I really enjoyed it as well! I loved the way
the author portrayed Zoe, and made you get inside her head. She was
such a funny character! The book is a very quick read, but is light,
and has a good message. I haven't read anything else by this author,
and really don't know if she has anything else out there, but I will
definitely be looking!

Reader reviewed by jocelyn

Zoe has big dreams. She wants to learn to play the piano, to play concerts at Carnegie Hall. Her father, however, is easily overwhelmed by a salesman and comes home with a Perfectone D-60 organ instead of the piano Zoe dreams of.

Zoe may still get to perform, thoughher music teacher recommends her for the Perfectone Perform-O-Rama. Despite being disappointed with her wheezy organ, Zoe tries her hardest to perfect her performance for the Perform-O-Rama, with help and support from her music teacher, her father (who gets nervous even leaving the house), her mother (whos out of the house working enough for the both of them), and a new and unexpected friend, Wheeler.

A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT is a fantastic novel. With its cast of quirky characters, its a funny, heartwarming debut. Every aspect of this novel just blew me away with its awesomeness! Linda Urban is an amazing writer, and if shes able to create something this wonderful for her first novel, I cant wait to see how brilliant her second will be. This perfection isnt crooked at all; its exactly what most of us are looking for when we pick up a bookwonderful, engaging, kid-friendly.

Reposted from http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com

Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince

At age ten, Zoe Elias is ready to live her dream. She intends to become a piano prodigy. Shell perform at Carnegie Hall, and everyone will applaud thunderously after every flawless performance.

But apparently shes destined to participate in the Peform-O-Rama with her cha-cha-cha organ instead.

Her agoraphobic dad spends lots of time with Zoe. Or, he did before Wheeler started following her home from school and distracting him. Now, the Wheeler and her father spend nearly every afternoon baking up a storm in the kitchen.
Since Zoes mom is always working, so theres nothing left to do but practice for the big competition. Her playing isnt yet as perfect as shed dreamed, but its a crooked kind of perfect that seems just right.

Zoe is like the girl next door. Kids will sympathize with her when she finds out her mother cant make it to the Perform-O-Rama. Theyll feel her embarrassment when her father flakes out in a crowd. But most of all, theyll experience her nerves as her turn to perform at the competition draws near.

This is a beautifully written story, which will resonate widely with its target audience.