During the first 10-15% or so I was worried that this would end up being super schmaltzy, like an Alaskan version of that Jennifer Garner movie where a plant child becomes a member of the family and teaches them about love, togetherness, the American way, etc. Fortunately, this book veers into more mature territory. The second part was a little slow, but in the third and final part, things really pick up and get going again.