The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June

Starred review from July 5, 2010
In an uproarious novel that slots somewhere between Charmed and The Powerpuff Girls in terms of sibling dynamics, three sisters cope with their parents' divorce, a new school—and sudden magical powers that allow overserious April to see the future, surly May to disappear, and bubbly June to read minds. April urges them "to use these things for good, not evil," but their lives and relationships grow complicated when June uses her ability to gain popularity, and April, after a vague vision, convinces May to spy on June's first party. Benway (Audrey, Wait!) proves that her own extraordinary ability is her sense of humor; if secondary characters feel contrived to move the plot along, Benway otherwise executes her premise with panache, such as the way the sisters' powers pair with their personalities ("ow that I could read minds? I'd be able to get an honest opinion about my entire wardrobe," thinks June). The sisters take turns narrating, and their distinct personalities and extremely funny, often barbed dialogue will keep readers laughing as each sibling learns to trust another amazing power: the strength of sisterhood. Ages 12–up.

July 15, 2010

Emotionally bruised by their parents' divorce, three California sisters move from Orange County to the Valley with their mother. In chapters narrated alternately by each sister, the girls discover and exercise their magical gifts while coming to terms with the family breakup. Risk-averse April, a high-school junior, sees the future; sophomore-rebel May can disappear; status-hungry freshman June reads minds. April's visions of impending catastrophe and the girls' efforts to prevent it drive the plot, but the breezy, chick-lit tone works against depth, and too much tiresome sibling bickering slows the pace. The gifts' provenance and purpose are unclear; the rules governing them shift. May's tendency to disappear inadvertently when stressed is supposed to tell readers something about her, but because she disappears volitionally whenever the plot requires it, that message is lost. Lurking in this half-baked paranormal romance are ingredients for a first-rate fantasy with engaging characters. Weak plot infrastructure and slapdash execution prevent them from coalescing into a satisfying whole. Mature elements include teen drinking, drug use, impaired driving and casual sex. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)

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September 1, 2010

Gr 9 Up-With the divorce of their parents, the move to a new community, and starting a new high school, sisters April, May, and June are undoubtedly under a lot of stress. The manifestation of this pressure is the re-emergence from childhood of some special powers: April is suddenly seeing visions of the future, May can turn herself invisible, and June can hear people's thoughts. These abilities could give them the chance to do something important, but instead April tries to micromanage everyone's lives, May tries to escape her troubles, and June uses her abilities to be popular. Things come to a head when April sends May to spy on June during an unchaperoned party. The dialogue is sharp and witty (and often includes profanity), the characters are mostly likable, and the personality of each sister is clearly delineated (the first-person narration alternates among them) as is the strength of their relationship. Why these special powers have surfaced is never fully explained. This novel will appeal to teens looking for a light read.-Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2010
Grades 9-12 For sisters April (16), May (15), and June (14), its been hard enough dealing with their parents divorce, a move, and a new school. But things get even more complicated after each girl unexpectedly rediscovers an unusual childhood ability: April can foresee the future; May can become invisible; and June can read minds. As the sisters try to manage their powers, they also fight about how best to use them, especially since Aprils foreboding visions may involve family members. Events culminate in unexpected ways, but the perspective each girl gains about her abilities, priorities, and relationships ultimately brings positive change. Droll and dramatic, the first-person narratives rotate among conscientious and responsible April; sometimes-snarky outsider May; and popularity-aspiring June. With amusing detail, each girl highlights her individual challenges as she navigates the complexities of family, friends, school, and romance. While the girls narratives occasionally blur, their experiences, both everyday and fantastical, create an enjoyable, contemporary read about family bonds.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)