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Nails, Jen
2 Reviews
(3)
4-6
When eleven-year-old Steffy's usually absent father returns, it upsets the stable life she and her sister have built in their aunt's home; their mother lives in a care facility due to a traumatic brain injury. Steffy copes by cooking; her autobiographical cookbook is appended. The novel is honest about the difficulties of Steffy's childhood, and a relatively happy resolution contributes to its middle-grade appeal.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(4)
4-6
As strong-willed and intelligent but immature Lylice skips fifth grade and goes straight to middle school, she wonders if she'll finally befriend anyone other than the principal or school librarian. She makes her first real friend when paired in class with shy Mexico Mendoza, but Lylice's growing desire to be accepted endangers their friendship. Lylice's spiritedness, though commendable, grows tedious.
Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor
2 reviews
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