Leeva’s mom thinks people are only good for making someone famous. Her father thinks they’re there to make him rich. Leeva isn’t satisfied with their answers, so she leaves her house for one of the only times in her life and embarks on a quest to discover the truth.
Leeva Spayce Thornblossom has spent almost her entire life inside the family house—cleaning up after her parents, solving her father’s accounting problems and surviving almost entirely off a food called Cheezaroni. But one morning her life changes forever: In the local paper, she reads about a new school in town. That’s right—a new school! And what’s more, Leeva should be attending it!
Leeva wants to go to school to learn and meet new people. But her parents want Leeva to have nothing to do with the place. Leeva’s mom, the mayor of Nutsmore, assures Leeva that people are only good for making one famous. Leeva’s father, the treasurer of Nutsmore, adds that people are also good if they make one money.
Leeva doesn’t buy her parents’ explanations. When they leave for work, she decides to leave the house for one of the only times in her life. The girl makes her way through the giant hedge surrounding her yard and stumbles upon a large brick building—the library. At the library, Leeva meets librarian Pauline Flowers and Pauline’s nephew, Harry. Pauline gives Leeva stacks of books to read and Leeva (now an official young scholar) begins to formulate an answer to her question.
Through her studies and newfound friendships, Leeva realizes that people good for far more than her parents told her. They are for sharing, for listening and so much more.
She’s happier than she’s ever been, but Leeva can’t help but notice how all her new friends suffer under her parents’ rule. As the days pass and the problems grow clearer, Leeva knows that it isn’t enough for her to wash her hands of her parents’ bad choices. She must set everything right.
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Leeva’s parents are very flat characters with no redeeming qualities. They neglect her and treat her like a maid. The pair only care about self-serving pursuits. As the mayor of Nutsmore, Leeva’s mom rules like a dictator while her father embezzles cash. In the end, Leeva’s parents abandon her for fame and fortune.
The librarian, Pauline Flowers, and her nephew, Harry, are kind to Leeva, helping her understand what people are for and eventually becoming her new family.
Osmund, one of Leeva’s new friends, tells Leeva how his parents killed two badgers. Cigarettes are mentioned.
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Leeva found that people are for many things. What do you think people are for? What, then, are you for? Are there goals you can set that will benefit you and others in positive ways?
Pauline and Harry Flowers were kind to Leeva. Why was their kindness important? How did it help her?
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Why was Leeva’s life better once she had friends? Why are good friends important in your life?
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Leeva at Last is a funny, heartwarming book about a thoughtful girl intent on living a better life and setting things right. The absurdist humor might not appeal to some readers, but overall this story has appealing characters and a great message about helping one another and considering what’s truly important.
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Review by Rachel Pfeiffer
