Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Albie is a good kid with a good heart, but he is not the sharpest tack in the drawer.  He goes to a special math class, he struggles with spelling and he is below grade level in reading. His parents try to be supportive, but Albie can sense that his lack of academic achievement bothers them. He tries really hard to please them,  but his best isn't as good as his parents want. The kids at school tease him and call him "dummy".  The only one who makes him feel smart is his nanny, Calista. Her friendship is one of the most important influences in his life, but will she always be able to be there for him?  This is another novel that is getting a lot of national attention. I actually liked it better than Rain Reign.  It it had a better balance of sad and happy.  Albie's parents don't always understand him, but they do love him and are trying to be good parents.  Many books are about kids that are super smart, or super challenged.  I loved that fact that Albie was just a really nice, normal, slightly below average intelligence kid.  I am rooting for this one, rather than Rain Reign for the Newbery.  I hope it gets at least an honor. (288 p)