Buy Absolute Brightness

SYNOPSIS

Darkness: Where light is not.
Light: Brightness or illumination from a particular source.
Absolute brightness:

Leonard Pelkey is a thirteen-year-old boy who marches to his own drum. His down-on-his-luck stepfather can no longer take care of him after his mother dies. Sent to live with his aunt and her two daughters in a New Jersey shore town, Leonard quickly changes the lives of those around him. Though it shines brightly his light is darkened when he disappears and all fingers point to a local troublemaker. As the mystery of Leonard's diappearance is solved, family secrets and dark truths are revealed. Every reader will be touched by this new novel from James Lecesne (filmmaker who made the Academy Award winning short film Trevor) and the message it delivers in its dramatic final chapters.

REVIEW
James Lecesne (Trevor) presents the tragic mystery that is Leonard Pelkey, a unique thirteen-year-old who faces adversity with a smile. When his mother dies and his stepfather is no longer able to care for him, he is sent to live with his aunt and his two teenage cousins in a small New Jersey shore town. Told from the perspective of his magenta-haired female cousin, who is full of contempt, we slowly see how he changes those around him, including her. He quickly becomes the star of his aunt’s salon and encourages radical makeovers for her clients.

Thought to be gay because of his flamboyant personality and outrageous fashion sense, he is an outcast among his peers. When he disappears his presence is missed by all and the prime suspects include the town troublemaker and suspicious drama teacher. The only problem is that in this family, and in this small town, nothing and no one is what it seems and secrets abound.

While this book is geared towards young adults, there are themes we can all relate to. Awkward and incredibly sad at times it is written in the language of today’s teen. The way Leonard changes those around him inspires and encourages while the mystery of his disappearance is devastating. We love this book for the deliberate way it is written and the endearing characters and conscience it offers.

-- Nick Strathern