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This book is a fantastic read aloud! It's also a children's selection for the Silicon Valley Reads program this year. The theme of SVR this year is "Books & Technology: Friends or Foes?"

As I read, I am reminded of a book I enjoyed (well, maybe "enjoyed" conveys the wrong sentiment) many years ago: "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. Thompson has created a similar book, exploring the powerful issue of the working poor in America, this time with a focus on immigrant laborers.

After following the lives of the citizens of Posadas County for 19 years, I was very satisfied with this installment in the series. There was a good balance between Estelle Reyes-Guzman and Bill Gastner that has beren missing in the past few novels. Mr. Havill seems to have a good idea where he wants to take the series in the future and has set up some great opportunities for future plots and character growth.

I like the path this story is taking, with Bill Gastner again being the center of the story. It's also fun to learn more about Miles Waddell, who has been a minor character in the other books.

Annual Christmas read aloud

Annual Christmas read aloud

This is the sort of person I've always admired: the person with a difficult goal who takes the necessary steps to achieve it. I mean, sure, it's easy to do what you want want to do, now.

"I don't know." I shake my head slowly, look out the window at the parking lot, lift my cup of coffee for one final sip. "I feel like I wasn't made for these times." "I don't know, kid," she says. "I think maybe you're the only person who was."

Fenton tilts her head, looks at me like she's not exactly sure she understands the question."This is what I've always wanted to do."