From Booklist
Hallie Palmer, who came of age in Pedersen's previous books (
Beginners Luck, 2003;
Heart's Desire, 2005), is forced to go beyond what anyone expects from a college sophomore when her father dies and her mother has a nervous breakdown. As oldest daughter in a household of 10 children, she is left in charge. Assistance from offbeat relatives, church ladies, and friends goes a long way to make survival possible, but Hallie bears all of the responsibility. Faced with twin baby brothers she can't tell apart, a sister who decamps to Boston, and the day-to-day challenge of keeping all those people dressed, fed, and in school, she takes little time to mourn. So overwhelmed is she, her breakup with her boyfriend hardly creates a ripple. In time her mom returns home, and the family, while still feeling precarious, learns and grows. Pedersen is skilled at capturing teen language and style and manages to put a great deal of humor into what could have been a maudlin tale.
Danise HooverCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
“Laura Pedersen’s lively imagination has created a cast of zany characters and an unforgettable heroine.”
–Bev Marshall, author of Hot Fudge Sundae Blues, on Heart’s Desire
