You Make My Heart...Swing Sideways

Reviewed by: Carla McAllister - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Maine, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 23, 2016

Review

Annabelle is looking forward to summer because her mother has been forced by Annabelle's doctor to give up the schedules and expectations she has always had for her and loosen the reins. Annie can't eat without choking and is thin as a rake. She is hankering for freedom from her mother's strict overbearing presence. When the family goes to camp for a month, Annabelle quickly befriends a wild young girl named California who is staying with her grandfather on a farm nearby. California picks berries and eats them straightaway, rides horses, climbs trees and lots of other exciting things that Annabelle has never been allowed to do. She finally has her freedom, but circumstances and secrets are divulged that make Annabelle realize how lucky she is to have her stable, loving and attentive parents.

Overall Book Score: very good