Unforgettable

Unforgettable
By Loretta Ellsworth
Walker Books for Young Reader, 2011. 256 pgs. Young Adult

After suffering a head injury as a child, Baxter developed a perfect memory; he never forgets anything, even though he'd like to be able to. For example, he'd like to be able to forget that his mother's criminal boyfriend, Dink, used his memory to acquire account numbers and rip people off, and that later Baxter testified against him, and now, Dink is out of prison and wants revenge. In order to get away from Dink, Baxter and his mother move to Minnesota, to the town where Baxter's best friend from kindergarten moved years before. Baxter has never forgotten her, but she doesn't seem to remember him--which is good because she doesn't remember his freakish memory but bad because he finds himself trying to create a new identity and be who she wants him to be.

I think I was expecting more from this book than it actually delivered. While there were things that readers will like--the bit of romance, Baxter facing up to his fear of Dink, etc.--the overall effect isn't very memorable. It's not a bad book; it just doesn't distinguish itself from any other young adult contemporary realistic fiction. Some language, but it's mostly a clean read.

AE