This book is EXCELLENT! I don't understand how some people didn't enjoy this. Sharon Creech captures the reader's attention with her use of "ship talk", so to speak, and the alternations between the two main characters give the book an unique appeal. I got it for my birthday, along with "Walk Two Moons", and I read them each in a day (Hey, I'm a fast reader!). I could hardly stand to put either of them down!
I'm glad this book got the Newberry Honors Award. It really deserved it.