I enjoyed the story of three misfit middle-schoolers coming together, learning to trust one another, and forming strong bonds. I was confused by the side story with the fairies from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" squabbling over the boy, Salman, and his fate. The tale is told in rotating points of view - each of the three children and Puck, the fairy. The implication, I guess, is that when things go wrong (or right), it might be fairies messing with us. The book reminded me a little of "View From Saturday" in that it took quite a while to figure out what was going on and how the characters fit together. Perhaps it wouldn't have been as literary without the fairy references, but I think I would have enjoyed it better. I found this book browsing the Teen section of my public library, liked the cover and blurb, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the five very different characters and how they came together in a middle school setting. Salman Page is a foster child who has been moved often. Now 14, he's learned to keep his head down and not get involved. Lu Zimmer is a wallflower whose best friend has just moved away. But she's excited to be a D.B., a designated buddy, at her Junior High, helping a new, younger student feel welcomed. She is assigned to Salman. Blos Peacse (what a name!) needs everything to be just so - structured and timely. He has Asperger's syndrome and no friends. Puck, the Faerie messenger, is caught between the King & Queen, required to serve both, but fearful of angering either one. Bird, a crow, brings them all together.Salman, Lu and Bos become a trio of misfits at school and over time become fast friends. I like Salman because, despite his difficult life, he makes the best of things and is truly kind. He welcomes Bos as a friend immediately because he knows he's honest and solid in the real world. It takes Lu longer to accept and return Blos' friendship, but she is good to him.Bauer inserts 3 essays that Salman write for his English class. He reveals himself in them. At the end, Lu writes a news article for the school paper about being a D.B. and Blos photographs Lu and Salman for the article.A thoughtful, at times dreamy read. It is based loosely on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Salman Page is broadened from a page boy who was a point of discord between the King & Queen of Faery, but who never appeared in the play. Bauer always wondered what happened to these boys, so she created the character and wrote the story around him.
What do You think about Come Fall (2010)?
Entertaining young adult fiction along the lines of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.
—dom0205
Unexpected combination of middle school and Midsummer's Night's Dream.
—butterflyprincess
A lovely tale of friendship, solid characters. A heartwarming read.
—Ciciblackpixiexoxo
