Neville by Norton Juster, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Schwartz and Wade, 2011) captures the frustration of moving into a new neighborhood as a young child. A new boy wonders about his new neighbors and wanders down his new sidewalk. When he reaches the corner, he starts calling for “Neville.” When other kids join him in searching for Neville, they become very curious to meet him.
As the new boy goes to bed that night, we learn his own name, which we have been able to predict. I personally never moved as a kid, but I loved this boy’s creativity in setting the stage for his neighbor kids and giving himself a place in their lives.
Kid thoughts (age 5): He liked it, but I don’t think he saw the cleverness of the story. This is a book for clever older kids (maybe ages 7-10).
