When Antonio suddenly leaves without warning and without saying goodbye, Gina suffers physically, emotionally, and mentally. The too share an uncanny link, with their minds often riding the same wavelength. Because Antonio has a rich imagination, Gina feels an obligation to protect him. Realizing that not only what she wears but what she says can be a source of irritation to others, Gina grows into a silent and cautious girl, one who watches and listens. This colorful clothing not only sets Gina apart but creates its own version of conflict. Each year on Gina’s birthday, Nonna sends updates on Angel Lucia, along with some garment or accessory made of delicate materials and featuring unusual colors. Gina’s grandmother, Nonna Filomena in Italy tells Gina stories about the feisty and moody Angel Lucia. Set in Ohio, the key characters in this tale are eleven-year-old Gina Filomena, who tries to slow her jumbled brain Antonio, who wears a mesmerizing smile and sees things that others do not and Angel Lucia, who doles out vengeance and grace depending on the situation. However, with intentional lessons, well-executed pedagogical moves, careful chosen words, and key dispositions on Miss Lightstone’s part, soon they are experimenting, engaging, and performing without grades in what feels like a kind of mutiny.
Because they are ingrained by “doing school” a certain way, the class initially resists.
Miss Lightstone poses these questions to her class. She also reminds readers of the power of writing, while inspiring the imagination with two explicitly asked questions: 1) Who are you? and 2) Who could you become? Through her newest middle grade novel, One Time, Sharon Creech reminds us all how our lives can be forever impacted by a highly effective teacher.
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