"Compared to the many pets she read about
in her library books, Bob was a dud. He slept
most of the day, and when he wasn't sleeping,
he mainly waddled around and dug holes.
His disposition was uniformly crabby. He
showed almost no interest in Leeva at all,
and when he did, he always seemed to raise
a skeptical eyebrow, as if he wouldn't be
caught dead doing such a ridiculous thing."
Middle grade readers will find it hard to imagine the life that Leeva has been living with her mother and father. Her parents have no interest in their child, except as a person to do their bidding. The two are consumed by the need for fame (her mother, the mayor of Nutsmore) and money (her father, the city treasurer) whose actions are focused on both and the acquisition by whatever means possible. Leeva's set task is to make them richer and more famous at all costs.
The Employee Manual that guides Leeva's days has many unreasonable rules. Most startling is the fact that Leeva cannot leave the yard. All she knows of the world she learns form watching a soap opera on television, and reading the Nutsmore Weekly newspaper. When she can't take it anymore, Leeva finds a secret way to leave the yard. By doing so, she meets a young man named Harry who is operating the library next door for his librarian aunt, following a skateboard accident. Now, she reads 10 books each day, and hungers for more.
The three become fast friends, and Leeva learns 'what people are for' through their support and friendship. Leeva also is introduced to the problems that face Nutsmore residents, all of which can be attributed to her parents' greed. Afraid to let anyone know her identity, Leeva helps Harry and his aunt by making daily trips to procure ingredients for the next day's batch of cookies. Those errands lead her to meeting new friends, Osmund and Fern, who help Leeva understand the importance of connection to others.
There are many poignant and humorous scenes that help readers appreciate Leeva's instincts for survival despite her parents, and her ability to bring justice to the town for the many injustices perpetrated by them. Readers will cheer for her kindness, her tenacity, and her brilliant mind. And, for her love of learning through the many books she reads so intently.
"Everything that happens is better when someone else shares it with you."
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