Mud Girl

May 1, 2007
Gr 8 Up-Abi, 16, has a long summer ahead of her. Her mother left without a word a year ago, and since then, Abis father has rarely left his armchair. The teen has to shoulder many responsibilities and she is full of questions. A woman from the Big Sister organization attempts to befriend her, with mixed results, as the woman has her own haunted past. Abi is happy to find a boyfriend, Jude, but soon discovers that reality differs from romantic fantasy. Judes toddler son, Dyl, has been cared for by his gravely ill grandmother since his mother took off. Abi is forced to look past her own situation and help the little boy. The pace of this novel is rather languid, and much of the story is formed by the protagonists internal dialogue and unarticulated frustration. The potent symbols of her mothers beloved, abandoned greenhouse and the endlessly churning river below the house frame many of the listless, small events. While readers will empathize with Abis dismal situation, it takes time for anything much to happen. The climactic scenes at the end seem rushed after the otherwise turtlelike progression. Despite living inside Abis head for most of the novel, readers may not truly connect with her until the end, when she finally understands what is most important to her."Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.