Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

For boys just about to turn 13

12-year-old Jeremy Fink collects mutant candy, he won’t venture more than four blocks from his apartment if he can help it, and he definitely doesn’t like surprises. On the other hand, his best friend, Lizzy, isn’t afraid of anything, even if that might get her into trouble now and then.

Jeremy’s summer takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious wooden box arrives in the mail. According to the writing on the box, it holds the meaning of life! Jeremy is supposed to open it on his 13^th birthday. The problem is, the keys are missing, and the box is made so that only the keys will open it without destroying what’s inside.

Will Jeremy and Lizzy be able to find the keys and open the box?

And just what is the meaning of life?

I read this book when I was in middle school and just loved it to pieces. This book is able to grab your attention from the very first sentence and keeps you entertained through the entire story. And the very first sentence is a great one.

Besides the meaning of life, this book features another thing I enjoy: Collections! Jeremy collects mutant candy, for example two MM’s stuck to each other. And his friend Lizzy collects playing cards she finds around the city. That collection is very creative. As for me I collect many things. I collect pins that say funny things (I have about 2,000 pins), movie ticket stubs from the movies I go to (wish I started that collection sooner in life) and books (I have a fear that books will stop being made in the future so I’m getting together as many as I can). As Jeremy Fink says everyone should have a collection.

I gave this book to my nephew before he turned 13 but I don’t think he read it.

I was really excited to find out that this book was made into a movie.

But like most movies based on books, the book was better. The movie had its moments but it wasn’t the same.

So, what is the meaning of life? Is it family? Friends? Personal objects? Memories? Life experiences? The meaning of life varies from person to person. At the end of the day, life is just life. It’s fun, it’s scary, it’s wonderful, it’s difficult. It’s just life.  So, spend your life doing things, things with family, things with friends, and things you enjoy. And remember: Life is short, eat dessert first.