I just have to say, wow, I was wrong about this. This was a really good book. So cute, and made me laugh out loud many, many times throughout the book.
Antsy, nickname for Anthony, has a friend named Gunnar who he finds out is dying from Pulmonary Monoxic Systemia. Antsy doesn't know what he can do to help, face it, what can you actually do in that situation? So he decides to "donate" a month of his life to Gunnar who says he only has 6 months to live. When he tells other people, they decide to do the same. Soon, they are building up lots of months to extend Gunnar's life, although people start putting stipulations on them like they have to be months from the end, not the middle, etc. It turns into a really big thing at the school, even to the point where they have a rally, and try to get it up to 50 full years donated. All the while Antsy and Gunnar are making a dust bowl out of Gunnar's back yard. Gunnar's sister Kjersten starts liking and dating Antsy. Antsy's family runs a restaurant which is really stressing his dad out. His friend Lexie and her grandpa are also a big part of Antsy's life. I wonder if they're actually what the book before this was about. Of course disaster strikes at the rally, and Antsy feels he must do something to counteract all this time given. Things aren't right with Gunnar and his family either, so all that plays into the situation.
I have to say one of my favorite quotes was about how they talk about dysfunctional families, but does anyone really come from a "functional" family that never fights or argues or disagrees? What an awesome thought. I will put this as a 5 on my ballot.
And last night before bed I began the final book on the Truman list, On Beale Street by Ronald Kidd. It also is shaping up to be a pretty good book.
