IN THE COMPANY OF CRAZIES by Nora Raleigh Baskin
    Illustrated by:  Henry P. Raleigh
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  8/8/06
    Publisher:  HarperCollins
    Reviewed by:  Jocelyn Pearce
    Rating:  5 Stars


    When Mia Singer's life gets to be a little too much too handle after a volleyball teammate dies, it changes drastically.
    When she's caught shoplifting, her family has had enough, and she is shipped off to an "alternative" boarding school,
    Mountain Laurel. Mountain Laurel is home to the "crazies" mentioned in the title, and it's nothing like any school Mia
    has ever attended.

    Much of their time at Mountain Laurel is devoted to journal writing, and the snippets from Mia's journal included in the
    text make an interesting addition to this book. The characters in the story, Mia included, are wonderful, and the idea
    of the story is interesting enough, yet much of the book lacks the "spark" that would make it fabulous. However,
    Mountain Laurel is a very interesting setting, and the issues addressed in the book make it smart and thought-
    provoking, as well as a good read.

    IN THE COMPANY OF CRAZIES is a very well-written book, enough so that I'd consider reading other books by
    Nora Raleigh Baskin, but not so much that I'd spend much time actively seeking them out. Still, though, it's certainly
    worth reading!
In the Company of Crazies
by Nora Raleigh Baskin