A Little Bit of Spectacular

Gr 4–7—Olivia, 11, and her seriously ill mother have moved to Alabama to live with Olivia's grandmother, who she barely knows. A new city and school have left Olivia disorientated, and she finds herself friendless and uncertain of the future. When she begins to see cryptic messages in bathrooms all over town, they prove a welcome distraction. Then Gran sets Olivia up on a "playdate" with a girl from the same school, and she not only finds a friend but also someone eager to solve the mystery with her. The puzzling messages are introduced at the beginning of the book, but as the story unfolds, the emphasis shifts away from a traditional mystery and more to a gentle tale about family, friendship, and facing the future with hope. The ending is unexpected—finding the message-writer does not result in the exciting discovery the girls (and readers) had hoped for. It is, however, life-affirming, and all the loose ends are tied up. The book features believable characters in challenging situations and would best suit readers who are ready for something requiring a little reflection. While unlikely to fly off the shelves, this is still a useful addition for young teens who are not emotionally ready for more serious issue-driven YA fiction.—Michelle Anderson, Tauranga City Libraries, New Zealand