For years, almost-eleven-year-old Zelly Fried has tried to convince her parents to let her have a dog. After all, practically everyone in Vermont owns a dog, and it sure could go a long way helping Zelly fit in since moving there from Brooklyn. But when her eccentric grandfather, Ace, hatches a ridiculous plan involving a “practice dog” named O.J., Zelly’s not so sure how far she’s willing to go to win a dog of her own. Is Ace’s plan so-crazy-it-just-might-work? or just plain crazy?
When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica S. Perl is a charming, amusing and witty book about an (almost) 11 year old girl named Zelly Fried who really, really wants a dog. With the undesired help of her quirky grandfather Ace, Zelly goes about proving she is capable enough to handle a real dog… while practicing with an orange juice jug. This story is incredibly original and I laughed from the very beginning when her Grandfather leaves her a note attached to an orange juice jug on her nightstand, to the very end when … well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
Although the main part of the story is about Zelly’s desire to get a dog and what distances she’d go to get one, underneath of it is another story about a young girl trying to find out who she is but too afraid to be different. What it means to find out who your friends are, about growing up and learning the bigger picture; about realizing the importance of keeping promises. Zelly is such a beautiful character, a very human character that you cannot help but empathize with. The part of me that was once a young girl as well related to her. The desire for normality, the crazy family and feeling out of place in what was once all familiar. As we all have learned at one point or another, that what makes us unique is the most beautiful, When Life Gives You O.J. shows you in such a heart felt and amusing way just this.
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Buy It!
You can buy When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica S. Perl for $10.87 on Amazon.
I received samples for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions expressed are my own or my families and are not influenced by any form of compensation. Take it or leave it. Click here to view my full acknowledgment policy.
