The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones

October 17, 2016
Eleven-year-old Lincoln has several secrets: the stories he writes in his notebook, his cross-country move with his mother to escape her abusive boyfriend, and the home for people with memory loss and dementia where his mother works (and where Lincoln hangs out after school). Lincoln, who thinks of the residents as “the crazies,” is mortified at the thought of his classmates discovering where he spends his time—he’s already an outcast and a bullying target. But one outspoken classmate, the memorably named Kandi Kane, takes a persistent interest in him and as Lincoln gets to know the group home’s residents better, he begins to see that he isn’t the only one with secrets and stories. Van Draanen (the Sammy Keyes series) effectively portrays the frustrations of aging and memory loss through a mix of humor, sharp-eyed observations, and the compassion of Lincoln’s mother and her colleagues. Lincoln is relatable in his flaws and insecurities, and the story’s supporting characters are equally well-developed. It’s a moving coming-of-age story about creating new and unexpected connections. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown.

Narrator J.B. Adkins's Southern accent is apparent but not overly dramatic. He uses this nuance to capture 11-year-old Lincoln Jones, who is mocked by his new classmates for his drawl. Adkins also captures Lincoln's humorous takes on life and his habit of hiding the truth. He doesn't want his classmates to know that he writes stories, that he and his mother have recently escaped from her abusive boyfriend, or that he must meet his mother every day in a dementia unit, where he avoids "the crazies" as best he can. Adkins also reflects Lincoln's emotional development as he comes to understand his mother's difficult situation, the heartbreaking condition of dementia, the harsh realities of aging and death, and the necessity of being honest with others and with himself. S.W. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine