“So, all went as planned– actually better.”

From Lauren Allbright’s Exit Strategy.

Ross your average 12-year-old-kid, except he’s moved loads of times in his life, never completed an entire school year at one school, and uses his last day(s) to make a lasting impression of his awesomeness on the school.  Ross’ mom is in a traveling orchestra, so every few months they move to a new city and Ross begins planning his new “Exit-lence”; this life has its share of struggles, but also lots of benefits (such as never having to do a science project).  However, that all changes when his grandfather has an accident and Ross and his mom move in to help out… with no moving-on date.  Being the new kid has never been a big problem for Ross before because he always had an end date, but now he just might be in over his head because it’s science fair season and he won’t be leaving in time.  Ross decides to use his research on being funny as part of his next (slightly delayed) exit extravaganza.  If Ross can make it until Pop is better, maybe this can be the greatest school exit of his life.

This book by Lauren Allbright is fun and easy to read; the small size of the book easily allows for pleasure reading and the content of the story is conveyed perfectly for readers young and old(er).  The theme of the book’s chapters is centered around the scientific process, which really adds to the story and the character development.  Ross’ character is well-written as a normal kid.  While this is a children’s book, it is a story that will be enjoyable for readers of all ages, as long as they remember the struggles of science projects; Exit Strategy is an moving story that mimics the writing style and heartfelt appeal of Wonder and other similar stories.