I was a bit on pins and needles until I figured some things out in Eliza Martin’s Harvey and the Extraordinary. I felt sick, actually, by my thoughts, and I am not sure if I feel better or worse about what really happened.

Of course, I can’t tell you anything because it will spoil things for you.

Mimi’s extraordinary dad left home to join the circus, but she is certain he will be back to recruit her because she is an expert in extraordinariness. She knows, of course, there is a difference between ordinary, extra-ordinary and extraordinary. Her moody brother who is in the crossing-over stage to adulthood and her mom are both ordinary, while video games and the colour orange or extra-ordinary. Only herself and her dad – and of course painted toenails and zebras – and on the extraordinary list, a list that keeps changing depending on the day.

The book for me was sad, but I also cheered when Mimi understood the true mean of extraordinary. I liked Mimi and the rest of her interesting crew, both family and friends, and how the story was told. It’s a good book to share with kids to remind them they are extraordinary.

Harvey and the Extraordinary was originally a play created by Martin, a Toronto-based writer, theatre artists and art educator for children and youth.

Question: How is warm yogurt ordinary? I suppose ordinary and gross are two different things.

Harvey and the Extraordinary is from Annick Press and retails for $11.95.

A copy of Harvey and the Extraordinary was provided
by Annick Press for an honest review. The opinions are my own.