Big Work

by S.M.R. Saia

James Leroy has recently discovered two things – that he wants to be an artist, and that he does, in fact, have a father. This estranged father has been sending money every month for James Leroy’s whole life, money his paternal grandmother has been keeping from them, money that his mother, Katy, knows about, and has chosen to ignore. Throw in the fact that Katy seems to want him to abandon his dreams and grow up to lead a quiet, small town life like she has, and he is out of there.

James Leroy has big dreams like his father. He feels fully justified in stealing the money back, and he makes plans to use it to take off on his own. But money is not an easy answer to life’s hard questions. From the moment he has the money in his hands, all of his relationships are thrown into jeopardy. And when he finally comes face to face with the father who doesn’t want to have anything to do with him, James Leroy has to admit that maybe, just maybe, his mother was right.

Katy may not understand everything about the men in her life, but she does know that becoming an artist is about more than passion or technique. It’s about the way that you see the world. She knows what James Leroy still has to learn, that art doesn’t save you from an otherwise monotonous or common life, it enriches that life and makes it beautiful.

As the full story behind the robbery unfolds, James Leroy’s parents are plunged back into the problems of their youth. Coming to terms with their own adolescent ghosts both clouds their judgment and hinders their ability to help their son. But James Leroy is tenacious. He’s going to do the big work of growing up, even if he has to do it alone.

194 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2012

About the author

S.M.R. Saia is the author of two book series for children: the Little Ant Books (read aloud stories for ages 3 to 5) and the Gertie in the Garden books (garden-themed early reader chapter books for ages 6 to 9). Her professional experience in the book world includes owning a corporate book fair business and freelancing as a self-publishing coach. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. For the past several years she has worked developing English Language Arts Worksheets for K – 12, using creative strategies to present, teach, and provide students with an opportunity to practice grade-appropriate Language Arts concepts and skills.

Reviews

[Ashe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual, unusual book. Quite honestly, I can't put my feelings into words but I'll try.
The mother and boy are both a surprise. The mother with her sole interest in the making of her miniatures and the boy because of his courage. Rarely do I ever see teenage boys with that kind of pent up anger, that ambition to aim high, and the crazy willingness to rob someone. Most authors always try to make their characters connect with their readers so they can sympathize with them but I admire how S.M.R Saia drifted from that.
I was a little surprised and a little sad at the same time when I learned that Eliza split town. I was so sure that something was developing between her and James, so sure that he had found his own "Katherine". That part of the story seemed like it kinda went down the garbage chute when he told her to keep the money but who knows? They might find each other again when they're older.
Overall, a very nice plot with a little surprise ending. It would've been a little strange if the author had decided to make Katy get together Simon in the end after all so I'm glad she didn't. Katy doesn't seem like the type of person who gladly takes people back years after they've gone and abandoned her. I'm taking a star off because even in the climax, my heart didn't start racing and I didn't feel the urge to quickly flip through the pages to learn more as I do with other of my favorite books.

[VLynch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was Ok, I bought it because I saw it on a giveaway and thought it sounded very interesting. I even purchased it ($2.99) on Barnes & Nobles before the giveaway winner was announced because it sounded so interesting. It was not what I expected. I did not bond with any of the characters and the book felt a little flat for me. I actually think the writer tried too hard with the development of the main characters mother, trying too hard make her into someone who had class without money. This book just did not work for me.

[Mhoffberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderfully written and I recommend it to all readers. It is a story that lives with you long after you have finished the last page. I have recommended it to all of my friends and it will always be on my top list of recommendations. S.M.R. Saia is brilliant.