"When Lucas came upon a towering gate made of gold,
he stepped across the threshold, into a glorious morning,
and found himself standing in the place
where the perfect people lived.
He watched in awe as they drove their beautiful cars
and beamed their beautiful smiles
and spoke their beautiful words.
Is there a perfect place? Many would love to think so; many work hard to find it. When Lucas receives a perfect score for his robot report, he is beyond happy. He is walking on air until his dad's work truck stalls at school pickup and Lucas has to help push it away. It is embarrassing for him.
By the time they get home, after having it repaired, it's dark and the electricity has been shut off ... again. He finds his mother getting ready for work by candlelight, with no time to look at the robot report. His grandfather is on the fire escape playing music that makes him so sad he is in tears. His explanation for doing so doesn't make sense to his grandson.
As he looks out, there is a lot going on in his neighborhood. In the bedroom he shares with his baby sister, Lucas takes stock of their imperfect room and has a final look at his robot report. In the night, Lucas is awakened by an unfamiliar light. It leads him to get up, get dressed, and climb down the fire escape. Following the light, he finds himself at a shining gate of gold.
Through that gate he finds 'the place where the perfect people lived'. He quietly watches those people who have it all, and who are willing to listen to him read his report. Universally loved, a celebration is planned for Lucas. That is when things begin to change. Lucas watches as an inconsequential juice spill leads to the child who spilled it leaving in shame. The mayor makes a speech about the disruption the juice spill has caused for all.
Once the cleaning crew does its work, all will be back to perfect once more. As the mayor calls for Lucas to come forward, the boy suddenly hears the sound of his grandfather's music, smells the food he so loves, and listens to the faint cry from a baby. What is he missing?
Morning brings clarity, and an understanding that perhaps imperfect is what makes life perfect.
There is such warmth and inspiration in the way Matt de la Pena tells his stories. I eagerly anticipate every new book. Paola Escobar's digital artwork contrasts Lucas' welcoming community and home with the exacting reality of the perfect place he visits.
Dare I say it? PERFECT!
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