Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

Wendy Mass has done it again!  Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is a wondrous tale of two best friends, Jeremy and Lizzy and their search for the missing keys.  The missing keys belong to a unique wooden box engraved with "The Meaning of Life: for Jeremy Fink", that Jeremy's father has left for him and that is to be opened when Jeremy turns 13.  The two young adults begin the search for the keys and end up in custody and having to serve community service. It is through their somewhat unorthodox community service assignment that the two friends discover more about themselves, the world around them and life than they could have imagined.

Although this story dragged in places, the ending is well worth the wait.  The story that Mass has woven together is beautiful.  As a parent, I was so touched by the ending.  Although many of her novels seem to be written more for girls, this one is definitely appealing to both genders.  The story poses some truly big and philosophical questions that would promote interesting classroom discussion.  This novel would definitely be a great classroom read aloud.