This is yet another young adult book wherein the content delivers a message of strength and the courage needed by the characters.

Delly is quite a character, self absorbed and very extraverted, she even makes up her own words to fit emotions or events happening. Longing for a true friend, Delly goes out of her way to try to make people like her, and much to her chagrin, it only gets her more and more in trouble.

When a new student arrives, Delly is anxious to learn about Ferris Boyd, whom the teacher told the class must no be touched. Ferris Boyd is as far introverted as Delley is extraverted. She does not talk, and communicates by words of a tablet.

When Delly follows her home into the woods, she observes a lonely girl obsessed with playing basketball. Gradually, Delly learns she must not push herself into Delly's hidden life. When a tree house is built, Delly's brother is added to the circle. Another classmate is added to the small group, and Brud is added to the group who grow to care deeply about Ferris.

Amazingly, birds circle round Ferris. She is loved by woodland creatures. When Delly, her brother and Brud notice a green car pull up to the house, they immediately see Ferris' reaction of fear.

Gradually, as the story unfolds Ferris learns that she can trust friends who will seek their wise, learned mother to help her find a life of safety.

Four Stars ( )

#unreadshelfproject2020 Love, love, love this book. What a truly amazing story. The characters are great, the story is great, the adventures are wonderful. I had to put this book down to go to work and I thought about it all day. I will be suggesting this title to any kid that comes into the bookstore looking for a new read. AMAZING!!!!!

The inspiring story of the redemptive power of friendship. Loud, brash Delly, who *knows* to her core she is bad meets quiet, sad Ferris and both their lives are changed, for the better. If its true that people can't change, perhaps its only true they can't do it alone. I think we've all had a friend who makes us see the world/ourselves with new eyes. This book made me appreciate all the good friends in my life all over again. Great read, read it in one sitting! ( )

Kirkus Review: Delly, an impulsive middle child loved by her parents and tagalong young brother, meets life on her own terms and with such self-centered focus that she bends language to suit and reflect her. A ride home in Officer Tibbetts’ squad car is a “Dellylivery”; “What the glub?” Delly exclaims, citing her “nocussictionary”; she anticipates “surpresents” especially for her; Ferris’ treehouse is a “hideawaysis.” (An appended glossary—Dellyictionary—offers 40 of these portmanteaux). Brud longs to shoot baskets like Ferris, a girl so silent and thin that both he and Delly think she’s a boy. Ferris fascinates Delly with her solitude and ability to connect with wild creatures and Brud with her miraculous basketball skills. Delly’s teachers, though aware of Ferris’ elective mutism and fear of being touched, don’t question the girl’s safety at home. But Delly notices scars on Ferris’s back and gets a bad feeling about Ferris’ normal-seeming father. There’s a lot going on, and Delly’s quirky language occasionally threatens to obscure the plot. Ferris is rescued, at least temporarily, but young readers may be left wondering whether adults are truly capable of protecting them. ( )

Great story dealing with a multitude of issues. Great character growth. The tone is for younger readers--like 9-11 range. ( )