March 1, 2008
Gr 6-9-Joan and her family move across the country to a suburban middle class neighborhood in California. She is determined to hate it until she meets a very unusual neighbor who calls herself Fox. The girls hang out in a hidden lair in the woods where Fox gives Joan the name Newt. Both girls struggle with family issues. Foxs mother has abandoned her and her father, and Newts parents are not getting along. With encouragement from Foxs father, a science fiction writer, the girls begin keeping journals. They compose a story based upon Foxs belief that her mother has been transformed into a fox and watches over her. They win a writing competition and are invited to attend a summer school for young writers. Writing proves to be the catharsis that both girls need. The characters are well developed, but the story (Viking, 2007) by Pat Murphy is slow to unfold. On occasion, Coleen Marlos narration seems flat. Some of the character voices sound odd and contrived, while it is difficult to differentiate between others. There is some mild swearing, but it isnt gratuitous. This audiobook will appeal to middle/junior high school girls.Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH
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