Angel in My Pocket

Have you ever read a book that you initially thought that you might not like, but ending up loving instead? That happens to me from time to time (see: Matched). As a youth services librarian, I read as widely as possible, even in genres that don't normally interest me.

While whittling down my checked out books pile, I grabbed Angel in My Pocket. The basic outline sounded okay: four students at a performing arts magnet school are connected through an angel pin. I ended up reading a richly sensitive story dealing with some serious issues: parent loss (through death or near-abandonment), self-esteem, and illness. It's a quiet story-not much action-and sensitively told. It's also a lovely story of how empowering and healing the effects of music and theater on young lives can be (even on a student who doesn't attend the school for its performing arts focus).