Calonita, Jen Belles, 352 pgs. Little, Brown and Company, 2012. $17.99 Content: Language: PG (3 swears; 9 God); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
Izzie lives with her grandmother who is struggling with Alzheimers, but they only have each other since Izzie’s mother passed away six years ago. Izzie lives in Harborside, which is considered a rough beach town, but she is happy there surfing with her new best friend Braydan, teaching swimming lessons at the local community pool, life guarding and competing on the swim team. One night her social worker comes to her home and decides it is time for her grandmother to go to assisted living and for Izzie to go live with an uncle she didn’t know that she had, an uncle who is state senator and a celebrated ex-baseball player. Overnight, Izzie’s life is changed from rags to riches and she doesn’t know what to do with her new cousins and the private school that is full of ridiculously wealthy students. Through it all Izzie stays true to herself and teaches those around her how to see outside of their exclusive community.
This is a great read with a strong main character and quick storyline. The book has mean girls, romance and family drama which makes it feel at times like a Beverly Hills 90210 show, but the strength and values of the main character makes it better than that. I also loved that it has a PG rating so more kids can have access to this fun read. This book had a conclusive ending, but I can’t wait to read more about Izzie and her friends and family in the rest of the series.
MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
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