Ask Amy Green

Gr 6 Up—Amy Green, 13, is on summer holiday and her dreams of soaking up the sun and snogging with her boyfriend, Seth, on Killiney Beach have just been dashed. Her recently divorced parents, their partners, children, and a few relatives, have agreed to a shared family holiday. Amy is sure the two weeks in West Cork will be a bonding nightmare. Fortunately, Clover, her 17-year-old cousin and teen advice columnist, will be joining them. Things begin to look up after Clover scores a gig in the U.S. of A-mazing, Miami, Florida, to interview American A-lister, Matt Munroe. After much cajoling, Amy is allowed to join her, and they embark on an overseas adventure. When they meet Matt, they discover that the teen Hollywood heartthrob is really 21-year-old Sean Whooley and of Irish heritage. Sarah Webb's novel (Candlewick. 2011) is a lighthearted tale with a near-drowning incident to provide a bit of suspense. Narrator Justine Eyre sails smoothing along the emotional tides of her characters, but often sounds older than the characters she is portraying. In spite of the highly improbable plotline, tweens will love this fun listen.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH