Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0544790855
Pages: 224
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Carter Jones doesn’t have it easy.  His father is stationed overseas, his younger sisters are on his nerves, and his mom is trying to keep life together despite the tragedies and secrets enveloping the Jones family.  In comes Mr. Bowles-Fitpatrick, the English butler, to pick up the pieces and tie up the loose ends for Carter and his family. The butler establishes his ground rules and sets his expectations, which causes much chagrin at first until Carter, his siblings, and his mom see that Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick is just what they needed to heal.  Pay Attention, Carter Jones is a bit of a Mary Poppins story; the foreign child-minder enters to save the family from itself.  For lovers of Gary D. Schmidt, this book might not hit the same high bar as Orbiting Jupiter or Okay for Now, and many readers might find themselves lost in the long descriptions of rugby – the sport Carter ends up playing and Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick adores.  Recommended for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School