Sam is eager to set off with his dad on their big fishing trip, but his plans veer off course when his obnoxious little sister Lucy decides at the last minute that she wants to tag along. In fact, nothing during the trip seems to go how Sam expects, but he eventually discovers how to enjoy the unexpected.
Sam and Lucy’s sibling dynamic is realistically portrayed, providing glimpses of frustration and tenderness as the two struggle, and at times manage, to get along. This novel-in-verse frequently changes form, which may pose a challenge for younger readers. However, this allows for simple and effective use of many poetry styles, and helps capture the ever-changing emotions Sam experiences on his trip. Wissinger helpfully provides supplemental information, such as a bibliography on rhyming, poetry, and fishing. There are also explanations of the techniques and forms used, and each poem’s form is identified just below its title, in order to help draw the connection between poem and form. The poetry is nicely complemented by grayscale, watercolor-esque artwork with heavy, jagged lines, reminiscent of Quentin Blake’s work (seen in Roald Dahl’s classic books). For readers who are ready to move on from Raczka’s Wet Cement.
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