Pay Attention, Carter Jones

In Gary Schmidt’s beautifully written, amusing and moving middle grade novel, Pay Attention, Carter Jones, the emotionally-complex protagonist, Carter Jones, opens the front door to find an English butler on his doorstep, sent by the boy’s grandfather. The butler – Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick – takes on the additional roles of emotional caretaker and support for Carter as the boy deals with his father’s deployment. By playing cricket together, Carter learns that the rules of the game are also the rules for a healthy and happy life, ultimately discovering how to navigate change and disappointment, but more importantly, how to receive help.