One Whole and Perfect Day

( 6 )

Overview

Lily Sampson wants nothing more than to have a normal family—if not forever, at least for a day. In the midst of her weird and wacky relatives, Lily works at being the sensible one. But if she were just a bit less reliable, she could have time for her girlfriends and perhaps time to fall in love with the elusive Daniel Steadman.

 

“Like an extended treasure hunt, Clarke's novel traces the minds and movements of eight characters through chance meetings, family rifts, and ...

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More About This Book

Overview

Lily Sampson wants nothing more than to have a normal family—if not forever, at least for a day. In the midst of her weird and wacky relatives, Lily works at being the sensible one. But if she were just a bit less reliable, she could have time for her girlfriends and perhaps time to fall in love with the elusive Daniel Steadman.

 

“Like an extended treasure hunt, Clarke's novel traces the minds and movements of eight characters through chance meetings, family rifts, and decisive moments to a final, festive celebration of unity.” —Horn Book, starred review

 

Michael L. Printz Honor Book —American Library Association

 

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Writing with the same warmth and humor that characterized her earliest novels (the Al Capsella series), Clarke introduces a new cast of endearingly eccentric characters who are drawn together to enjoy "one whole and perfect day." Seventeen-year-old Lily, the youngest, most "sensible" member of the Samson clan, has well-founded misgivings about the upcoming 80th birthday party for Pop, her grandfather. She is sure something will go wrong (as it always does) when her unpredictable relatives unite, still she hopes for the "perfect day" of the book's title. Pop himself is having a feud with Lily's shiftless brother Lonnie, and has even threatened him with an ax, causing Lonnie to leave home and move into an apartment. Pop's wife, Nan, who is as soft as Pop is gruff, might be considered normal were it not for her invisible best friend, Sef. Then there's Lily's psychologist mother, who works in an adult day-care center and is always bringing home "old people whose care-giver children were quite desperate for a little break." While the novel mainly focuses on Lily's exasperation with her family's peculiarities, the third-person narrative shifts among other characters' points of view, which reveal old resentments as well as their mutual affections, affections that prove to be more deep-rooted than grudges. Filled with surprising turns of events and serendipitous encounters with strangers (who ultimately take on significance in the story), this book celebrates rekindled friendship and blossoming romance. Ages 12-up. (Mar.)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
VOYA - Stephanie Petruso
Lily's small family is falling apart. Her father disappeared long ago, and her mother puts taking care of her neglected elderly patients ahead of Lily and their house. Her only brother, Lonnie, moved away after being disowned by their grandfather for being unable to commit to a career, and her grandmother talks to an imaginary friend named Sef. As her grandfather's eightieth birthday approaches, Lily wants nothing more than for her family to forget their problems and grudges, and for once, have a perfect day together. Australian Clarke takes readers into the minds of each member of a very large cast of characters as they learn to be less judgmental and more forgiving. Unfortunately this lack of focus detracts from the story. Subplots about Lonnie's girlfriend and her parents, who also are not speaking; his girlfriend's roommate; and a homeless girl on the train keep readers from becoming attached to any one character. In addition, the reasons behind the family rifts seem insubstantial, and some major issues, such as the grandfather's racism, are solved too quickly and simply. It leads, through a number of improbable coincidences, to a large extended family reunion at Pop's birthday party. The novel can be suggested to younger teens or those looking for books with no objectionable content. Even with that criteria, though, there are more engrossing choices dealing with family relationships, such as books by Joan Bauer.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781620910252
  • Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
  • Publication date: 4/1/2013
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 248
  • Sales rank: 221,931
  • Age range: 14 - 17 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.40 (w) x 8.20 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Meet the Author

Judith Clarke was born in Sydney, Australia, and lives in Melbourne. She is the author of many award-winning books for young adults, including the Boston Globe--Horn Book Honor-winning Kalpana’s Dream, Wolf on the Fold, Night Train, and Starry Nights.

 

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 6 )
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Sort by: Showing all of 6 Customer Reviews

  • Posted November 15, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    One Whole and Perfect Day

    One Whole and Perfect Day- Audio Version

    My family received an advance copy of the audio CD version of this book. We listened to it traveling up the California coast a few weeks ago. The car has never been so captivated (or quiet) during a road trip as it was when we listened to this audio book. Truly a pleasure! Judith Clarke and Gretal Montgomery are a winning combination. The writing is clever, fun, and appropriate for all ages. The narration skillfully conveys the sense of the text to the listener at all times (the Australian accent is pleasant and subtle- just enough and not overpowering for my daughters' understanding). Hope to see more books/audio from this combination.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 30, 2008

    incomplete

    the whole book is basically built on Lily having her 'perfect day that's whole' but in the book lily doesn't even have the party, and there's no action with that daniel steadman guy. The ending was too abrupt and the book is basically about her family and their problems.. not much about there with lily just that she was so looking forward to the party but the book ended without there even being a party... just the before celebration and how it 'is' going to be a perfect day with everybody there to celebrate pop's birthday.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 9, 2008

    Definitely worth reading!

    i really enjoyed this book! i thought the plot was laid out well and the amount of coincidences made the story interesting! i love the eccentricity added to all the characters and their individuality. definitely worth reading!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 19, 2008

    Worth reading

    This book started out slow, and I had my doubts. As I kept reading though, I learned more about the characters and found something to like about each of them. The book switches nararators, which keeps it interesting. The story is great and revolves around all the characters in different ways, making it a very good book.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 19, 2008

    one whole and perfect day

    The Samsons are no ordinary family. There's the endearing grandmother May, the stout and stubborn Pop, and their daughter Marigold. Then there is the dreamy and 'poetic' Lonnie, and Lily, the only 'sensible' one in in the clan. As May plans Pop's eighieth birthday party, Lily desperately tries to reconcile Lonnie and Pop from a falling out over college majors and Lonnie's shiftlessness...All she hopes for is that 'one whole and perfect day'-the day her family can never seem to have. A novel filled with unexpected twists and turns, each hilarious character makes the book worth reading, and the sharp and often humorous prose becomes a surprising ending, one riddled with serendipity.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 21, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

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