This is a darling story that I would have loved when I was 11. That is not a negative comment unless you were hoping for adult reading material.

Because ALMOST PERFECT is a book for young people (younger than young adult), I can't review it adequately. I can only comment as an adult reader: I was bothered that the main character, 14-year-old Benny, talks, thinks, and acts like he is 11.

I think Manning's point is that immature Benny matures with responsibility. Good point, but, in the meantime, the kid sure did irritate me.

However, this book deserves a high rating for young readers.