GENRE: Fiction - Detective Themes
HONORS:2006 Michael L. Printz Award Honor book
2005 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year-Children
2006 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book (among others)
REVIEW: Ed Kennedy is a young taxi driver, who is his opinion, hasn't made any notable achievements in his life. He is in love with his best friend Audrey and spends his time playing cards or sharing coffee with the "Doorman", his dog. His character is set up to be the downtrodden young adult, which conveys a typical scenario with a unique set of quirks, especially when his destiny changes in a heroic move to stop a bank robbery. The mystery lies in the unidentified and dangerous 'good Samaritan' that constantly threats Ed into solving a card suit full of puzzles that will change others lives for the better.
OPINION: The strength of the story is in the cryptic messages that Ed anonymously receives that leaves the reader to wonder where the clues will lead. Ed's determination and intelligence changes the lives of a diverse set of unsuspecting citizens whose troubles range from domestic abuse to poverty. Some of the scenarios are too anti-climatic where a reader wonders what kind of positive change Ed deployed, but the puzzles and glances into the varied scenes of city life make the story arousing.
IDEAS: A good anti-hero book recommendation, and alternative for those who can't get a hold of Zusak's Book Thief right away.
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