Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

With the end of summer closing in and a steamy Labor Day weekend looming in the town of Holton Mills, New Hampshire, thirteen-year-old Henry - lonely, friendless, not too good at sports - spends most of his time watching television, reading, and daydreaming about the soft skin and budding bodies of his female classmates. For company Henry has his long-divorced mother, Adele - a onetime dancer whose summer project was to teach him how to foxtrot; his hamster, Joe, and awkward Saturday-night outings to Friendly's with his estranged father and new step-family. As much as he tries, Henry knows that even with his jokes and his "Husband for a Day" coupon, he still can't make his emotionally fragile mother happy. Adele has a secret that makes it hard for her to leave their house, and seems to possess an irreparably broken heart.

But all that changes on the Thursday before Labor Day, when a mysterious bleeding man named Frank approaches Henry and asks for a hand. Over the next five days, Henry will learn some of life's most valuable lessons: how to throw a baseball, the secret to perfect piecrust, the breathless pain of jealousy, the power of betrayal, and the importance of putting others - especially those we love - above ourselves. And the knowledge that real love is worth waiting for. (taken from back cover of book)

This book was so beautiful. I hope I can do it the justice it deserves in explaining how wonderful and how highly recommended this book comes from me.

Henry is much more mature than your average 13 year old boy, but at the same time he is innocent and naive. Frank and Adele are both tortured souls, but it was inspiring to read about the relationship they forge in the six days most of the story takes place within. I really enjoyed the way these characters unraveled by slow increments giving you small glimpses into what shaped them into who they are today.

Maynard's prose was beautiful - the simplicity of it was just perfect. She also does a fantastic job in capturing all the emotions that run amok through a 13 year old’s mind.

There were moments that had me unexpectedly tightening my throat or the watering of my eyes. This is a coming-of-age story, a love story and a family drama all wrapped up into one beautifully wrapped package titled Labor Day. These are characters you won’t quickly forget, and this weekend that they spend together and the way it changes all of them, will change you just by having read it.

GIVEAWAY: And because I ♥ this so much - I will gladly give away my gently read ARC copy - to spread the love. Like I said, I can't recommend this highly enough. Just leave a comment and make sure to leave an email address. Open internationally. Winner will be chosen 9/11/09.