Sean Griswold’s Head
Lindsey Leavitt
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books

Release Date: March 1, 2011
Pages: 288
Source: Copy for Review

Rating: 5 stars

According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object—an item to concentrate her emotions on. It’s supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold’s head. They’ve been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas—it’s an alphabetical order thing), but she’s never really known him.



The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father’s newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it’s working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking—er, focusing on—Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He’s cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own.
In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.
This book is absolute love! From the first page to the last, it is a story filled to the brim with wonderfulness. Sean Griswald’s Head is an adorable read following a wonderful teen.
 
The book hit really close to home for me, as my mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 9 years ago. It was interesting to read how it affected another family, as fictional as they may be.
 
I really loved the characters – Payton was a wonderful character, and I enjoyed following her story. I found Jac really great as well, as she’s the kind of character who has your best intentions at heart, she just may mess up and make some mistakes along the way. I think everyone has someone like this in their life.
 
I really enjoyed Leavitt’s writing. It was a beautifully woven story. The events were a lot of fun to follow. I loved the incorporation of cycling – it was a lot of fun to read about. Sean and Payton’s cycling was absolutely adorable.
 
I could not recommend this book more! Sean Griswold’s Head is a story that will be sure to stick with readers. Witty and entertaining, this story of first love is a must read. It is a story you would be sad to miss.