NZ Intermediate School Librarians discussion

Great coming-of-age story. Delsie lives with her grandmother, a cleaner, on Cape Cod - a playground for the rich during summer, but some of the local residents, like Delsie, live in much poorer circumstances. The story deals with Delsie's angst at being abandoned by her mother when she was a baby, a long simmering hurt, which is then exacerbated by her long time summer friend Brandy (from a wealthy summer crowd) ditching her for new mean girl Tressa. They make fun of Delsie and she feels betrayed, unloved and unworthy. Delsie meets a boy, Ronan, who at first glance seems like trouble, but as Delsie finds out, he is experiencing similar feelings as her. Themes of abandonment, friendship and families - and valuing what you have even if it does not conform with the norm. As the author says "it's not what you look at that counts, but what you see". Perfect for the "middle grade' crowd and it will appeal to those who have enjoyed Lynda Mullaly Hunt's other novels (Fish in a Tree, One for the Murphys) and other realistic, coming-of-age type stories. Highly recommended.