CALEB AND KIT by Beth Vrabel

CALEB AND KIT  by Beth Vrabel

Caleb, 12, has Cystic Fibrosis and is not happy about it. The first 50 or so pages of this book are his very own pity party.  Young people of the age group this novel attempts to reach will find the first 50 pages pretty boring.  The tale picks up significantly when Kit enters Caleb’s life. The book switches from detailing all of Caleb’s restrictions and gross symptoms to the actions and interactions of two rebellious teens.  Kit is a free spirit who encourages Caleb to do “what he wants to do.”

If you make it past the first 50 pages, the plot and characters come alive.  Caleb is a real person with needs and desires teens will identify with and preteens will find the mystery that clings to Kit intriguing. Shelly and Patrick are two supporting characters clearly drawn and interesting.

Adults dealing with the trials of chronic illness in teens will find this this book challenging and helpful.  Perhaps they are the real audience for this novel.

3 of 5 stars as juvenile fiction, 4 of 5 for adults