The Real Plato Jones

At his grandfather's funeral in a Greek village, half-Greek and half-Welsh London-bred teenager Plato Jones becomes aware of the WW II-era conflict that soured the relations between his two sets of grandparents. As the story progresses, Plato pieces together the mystery surrounding his ``traitor'' grandfather, and comes to a new, more sophisticated understanding of what it means to be a hero. When a fire sweeps through the tiny mountain village, Plato and his mother pitch in to help, thus healing old wounds and creating a new sense of belonging. Bawden's trademark thoughtfulness takes on a suspenseful edge, thanks to the novel's intelligent plot, crisp pacing and precise dialogue. Set against a rich cultural and historical background, Plato's discovery of his unique identity is brought skillfully to life by Bawden's splendid storytelling. Ages 9-12. (Oct.)