Snowbirds

Gr 7 Up—Rumspringa. The time in an Amish person's adolescence when the modern world is within grasp and temptation may be indulged. Alice, part of an Old Order Amish sect, is in the throes of her Rumspringa, causing her best friend, Lucy, to struggle with the changes. Lucy, a Floridian Mennonite, has spent almost every summer anxiously waiting for Alice to arrive from Maine with the other Old Order Amish "snowbirds." This summer is different. Alice has a cell phone, a boyfriend, and cash stored away to make her escape. An all-night beach party leaves Lucy in the company of a handsome Amish boy and results in Alice's mysterious disappearance. When the local sheriff starts asking questions and members of the community cast incriminating glances, Lucy knows she must discover what happened to Alice. Chappell weaves an engrossing mystery while giving readers a peek into Amish and Mennonite cultures. Subtle interactions within the close-knit communities build suspense and keep readers on their toes. Many readers will relate to Lucy's attempts to find her own identity. Standing on the precipice of adulthood is a balancing act for any teenager, regardless of religious or cultural background. Suggest this to readers seeking a PG-rated romance with an involving plot and developed characters.