Rating: 4 stars (Spotlight Review)

Naomi Feinstein has a clinically depressed mother, a very caring idealistic father who teaches Naomi life lessons at every opportunity—and an eidetic memory that at times does her more harm than good.

During yet another outing to the former home of Rose Kennedy—one of her father’s favorite places to visit—Naomi’s father has a heart attack while holding her in his arms; and, though he recovers, she is deeply affected. The event elicits a proclamation that she will become a cardiologist—if only to be able to fix the people she loves and thus preventing their loss.

Treated as an outsider at school, Naomi is virtually friendless until Teddy moves in next door. Finally having someone her own age to spend time with and confide in, brings Naomi some peace. As they mature, so do their thoughts and feelings, until their mid teens when Teddy is whisked away after the death of his father. The loss of Teddy is something Naomi neither understands nor recovers from.

Distracting herself with thoughts of attending Wellesley College—the very college that Rose Kennedy regretted not attending—her dream is realized with an acceptance letter. Naomi is glad to have her dreary high school days behind her and looks forward to the new life college will provide. However, she soon learns that changing your life requires much more than simply changing your location.

Elizabeth Percer expertly relates the life story of Naomi Feinstein with beautifully scripted, lush prose that draws the reader in, and provides an unobstructed view deep into the hearts of her characters.

Rich in history, steeped in family and tradition, and full of emotion, An Uncommon Education is a lesson in practiced elegance, despite its label of debut.
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Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Harper (May 1, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0062110961