Eleven and Holding

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

Review Date: January 19, 2017

Review

Though she lives in Constant, Colorado, everything in Macy's life seems to be changing and not for the better. Macy will soon turn twelve, but she has decided she will not celebrate in any fashion until her father returns home. He has always returned after stints in the Army and has promised to be home for the big event but it does not look promising. He has been gone for months on a special project for the Department of Defense. She is due to enter seventh grade and leave her best friend Twee behind in sixth, her beloved Grandmother has died and her business sold, her mother seems to think of nothing but Macy's little brother, Jack, and is spending way too much time with a certain man. So, she decides to find her Dad and reveal the truth of what is really going on. Something is just not right and she fears that her Mom and Dad will be getting divorced. This story is told in a very believable way and deals with loss, learning unhappy truths and how best to deal with them, especially at a delicate age. With unexpected twists and turns and told from the viewpoint of the 11-year-old protagonist, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Overall Book Score: excellent