Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt

Carter's father is in Afghanistan, and his mother is struggling to make ends meet.  Carter helps out with his little sisters when he can but he can tell life is hard for his mom. Then one day, Mr. Bowls-Fitzpatrick shows up on the doorstep.  He is a butler from England who drives a eggplant colored Bentley.  It turns out that Carter's fraternal grandfather has died, and left the use of the butler and the car to Carter.  The butler quickly takes the family in hand and with courtesy, decorum, and a bit of self importance, starts to sort things out.  He is determined to make Carter into a gentleman, and one way to do that, in his opinion is to teach Carter and his friends to play cricket.  The first time they go out on the football field in their white sweaters and pillowy shin guards, Carter is totally embarrassed.  Much to his surprise the game catches on, and soon the whole school is talking about it.  Little does he know that the game, and the butler, is just what he needs to get through the Australian strength storm that is headed for his life.

I love Gary Schmidt and, as bizarre as the premise is for this book, I loved it too. When it comes to tender adult/child relationships, Schmidt just has the velvet touch.  It is all about good people helping other good people get through tough times.  I also liked Schmidt's emphasis on what is means to be a gentleman, and how dignity and decorum can make life run more smoothly.  I think it is a lesson our American culture has almost forgotten. (217 p. 2019)