Synopsis
Enough about you. Let’s talk about me.
KLIATT
Twelve-year-old Trudy has always wanted to have her own television show. In her computer journal, she details her hopes and dreams. Even more than she wants her own television show, Tru wants her twin brother, Eddie, not to be handicapped. Tru has always felt a sense of guilt over the fact that her brother is mentally handicapped while she isn't. When the local cable station runs a contest for a new show, Tru puts together a demo tape. She wants to be able to both entertain and inform people about what life is like for Eddie. When her show wins the contest and airs, Tru isn't as excited as she had thought she would be. She struggles with her feelings toward the video she created, unsure what is bothering her. She wonders if she exploited her brother, or if she's bothered by all of the kids at school suddenly wanting to be their friends. Tru finally realizes that what is nagging at her is the fact that Eddie will not get better, that he will remain developmentally challenged while Tru continues to grow. Tashjian rarely veers from the main theme of Tru and Eddie's relationship, and the challenges Eddie faces every day. Tru's diary entries, her online chats, and her interactions with her peers all revolve around Eddie. Her devotion to her brother is touching and genuine. The short chapters, peppered with lists, pictures, and a variety of fonts, keep the pace moving. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregor