Paris for Two

Reviewed by: Ann Marie Townsend - South Berwick Public Library, South Berwick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 8, 2016

Review

Petunia, after having a rough year in seventh grade with the embarrassment of a first crush, is relieved to be going with the family for a year in Paris, France while Dad is on sabbatical. The setting and the differences in culture are well described. The character of Petunia is a twelve-year-old who has relationship troubles with her older half sister and struggles with self-esteem. She has a passion for designing and sewing clothing, which her sister makes fun of, but when she finds a doll dress locked in a secret door of her armoire, she explores the mystery behind it with an elderly neighbor who encourages and teaches her sewing skills as well as sharing her own sister struggles. The angst of a twelve-year-old is well done, the crush and embarrassment of navigating a relationship is right on, and learning to right a bad decision, make this a realistic story of growth.

Overall Book Score: good