Return of the Librarian: 'See You at Harry's'

See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles

Do not read this book if you don’t want to cry.  Really.  Fern, 12, feels lost in her large family.  Her father constantly schemes to expand their family restaurant, Harry’s.  Cue stupid family restaurant video ad.  Her older sister, Sarah, ostensibly works there (but spends much of her time in the cooler, smooching a co-worker), saving money before going off to college.  Holden, 14, hasn’t come out, but Fern’s pretty sure his new friend, Gray, is more than just a buddy.  Then there’s Charlie, three years old, constantly messy or sticky, and always demanding attention.  Fern loves him, but he’s a pain.  Shouldn’t her mother be looking after him, instead of taking off to go meditate, and delegating him to her or Sarah?  Her parents are too busy to give any one kid much attention.  Fortunately, Fern has her friends Ran and Cassie.  But they can’t help when bullies torment Holden on the bus.  And no one can really help when tragedy strikes.  Fern’s raw grief pulled tears from me.  The woulda-coulda-shouldas nag her at night.  Pain slashes her when something reminds her of the one who’s gone.  The why-didn’t-Is and the if-onlys visit, too.  Guilt.  Feeling that nobody should be happy again.  Irritation with herself for being hungry, because it seems wrong to do anything normal.  Frustration when her mother so completely collapses that she’s no help to Fern.  The family crumbles, but gradually, with trembling knees, its members begin helping each other to stand again. It’s gratingly painful to have someone you love die, but it’s okay to hold hope for the future.