My vote goes to Andrew Clements. I stand ready for your recommendations.

Would like to share my review of one of his books.

Andrew Clements may be a children’s book author, but I never feel that reading his books are a waste of time. I think “The School Story” may be my favourite book of his.

Natalie and Zoe are exact opposites who are best friends. Natalie is a writer whereas Zoe is a talker.

One day, Natalie wrote a book that Zoe found interesting. Zoe decided to become Natalie’s agent and advocate for it to be published.

They were only 12-year-old kids.

But before I dismissed it as a harebrained scheme, I found myself rooting for them. Here’s the deal: Natalie‘s dad had perished in a car accident when she was 8. She wrote her book as a way of remembering her dad.

My heart broke. I think Natalie’s a character you relate easily to when you have lost someone important to you.

Andrew didn’t stop there. He introduced Ms. Clayton, a young burnt-out second-year teacher who agreed to be Nathalie’s and Zoe’s advisor.

Oh, I have been there. Some days, I consider myself burnt out too. Which makes it all the more admirable when I read how Ms Clayton went along with their crazy plan to get published.

But that’s not all. Natalie’s mother worked as an editor. And through the twists and turns, she became Nathalie’s editor. Nathalie wisely chose to communicate with her mum through writing, so the notes between them were heartfelt and struck an emotional punch. It’s like Love Is Blind, minus the marriage portion.

I just feel that Andrew Clements is so adept at writing books that comprise layers upon layers of human relationships. His writing is simple but it’s like Cupid who hits bulls’ eye. I wish I have written this: it recorded the ballet of emotions that danced across both faces.

If I were to be a primary school teacher again, I think I would take time out to set comprehension passages based on this book. It’s that evocative and emotive and brilliant.