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Haworth, Danette
4 Reviews
(4)
4-6
When middle schooler Hailee's family wins the lottery, she's disappointed that their lifestyle doesn't become as lavish as she expects. But enrolling at a prestigious private school does change Hailee, to her friends' dismay. A strong voice and a fun-to-imagine premise complement explorations of class striations, but simplistic distillation of characters as merely "nice" or "mean" detracts from the novel's strengths.
Reviewer: Allison Cole
(4)
4-6
Joshua's dad is an Air Force recruiter during the Vietnam War. Father and son, and their dog, Jack, are greeted with suspicion in their new town, especially after one soldier comes home and another is killed. The story touches on bullying, violence, war, friendship, and trust. Though there are some plot contrivances, the complex characters are well defined.
Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth
(3)
4-6
Allie Jo's parents run the historic Florida hotel where Chase's family is staying. Together the kids investigate a mysterious girl named Tara, who turns out to be a stranded selkie desperate for the return of her sealskin. Issues of friendship, first crushes, and the quest to fit in are combined with the story's magic and mystery.
Reviewer: Susan Halperin
(3)
4-6
Eleven-year-old Violet's best friend is more interested in trying on makeup with new-girl Melissa than frying up fish with Violet. Violet's in a funk--and it will take nothing less than a lightning strike to bring her out. Readers will find Violet, with her down-home drawl, sympathetic and easy to like, and the 1970s Florida summer setting is evocatively drawn.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
4 reviews
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