Cassie Was Here

March 19, 2007
Hickey's debut book captures the shaky essence of what it's like for an 11-year-old to be shy and desperately lonely in a new town. Although Bree Mulaney has her 13-year-old brother, Reid, to keep her company, she still feels like a bump on a log most of the time, even when her imaginary friend, Joey comes out to play. When Cassie, a cool and pretty older girl shows up down the street, Bree sees an opportunity to convince her parents that she has a new friend (and can put their fears of her imaginary friendship to rest)—especially when Cassie offers to cut and highlight Bree's hair like hers. Trouble arises, however, when Cassie starts flirting with Reid instead of playing games with Bree, and Reid maliciously spills the beans about Joey after Bree catches Cassie and him smooching. Is Cassie really the user she appears to be? Will Bree ever find a real friend as loyal and trustworthy as Joey? Hickey's choice to use an imaginary friend to illustrate Bree's vulnerability is spot-on—ideal for revealing how scary it is to be alone in an unfamiliar place and how hard it can seem to make friends. Although Bree's mother comes across as a worrywart at times, her concern over Bree's overly active imagination feels genuine. The book is especially well suited to kids who have moved (or are planning to), but Bree's spunk and quirky behavior will endear her to even the most rooted of readers. Ages 9-12.

July 1, 2007
Gr 4-7-After moving to a new neighborhood, Bree Mulaney, 11, is lonely. Resorting to her old imaginary friend, Joey, causes disapproval from her parents and disdain from her older brother, Reid. When she meets 13-year-old Cassie, who smokes (she says), wears makeup, and has a tattoo, Bree is intrigued. Cassie is visiting her grandmother for the summer, although she tells Bree that she has gotten kicked out of her boarding school. The plot remains steady with enough happening to sustain interest as Bree eventually gives Joey up and Cassie's secrets become known. Hickey creates a true-to-life situation. However, while Bree clearly admits that having an imaginary friend is not normal for someone her age-that's she's just lonely and desperate for a friendmost readers will find her reliance on Joey improbable. Because of that, the book is likely to have limited appeal."D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2007
Bree's imaginary friend, Joey, disappeared when Bree was young. Now she is 11, and Joey is back, mostly because a recent move has left Bree in a funk and friendless. Her brother, Reid, is angry at her because he blames her for his broken arm, and her parents are all over her to dump Joey once and for all. So when 13-year-old Cassie comes to stay with her grandmother, who lives nearby, Bree is ready to make a new friend--especially one with a tattoo. First-novelist Hickey offers a simple yet strong story with some nice characterizations. Bree--and Joey--take a backseat to the more complex Cassie, who has just been kicked out of school. Hickey also neatly pulls off a relationship between Cassie and Reid that develops, much to the dismay of Bree. This has the careful, coloring within-the-lines feeling that often comes with first novels, but Hickey's keen eye for kids and their interpersonal relationships will serve her well in books to come.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)