PS (not post script but pooper scooper)

Remember the old adage not to judge a book by its cover. That is true for THE PS BROTHERS by Maribeth Boelts (Sandpiper 2011). PS in this case stands for pooper scoopers. On the surface, this is the story of two boys who decide to go into business as pooper scoopers in order to buy a dog to share. However, there is much more to the story. Russell lives with his uncle now that his mother has died and his father has been sent to jail for theft. Shawn comes from a family with lots of siblings and little money. The two most often hang out in Russell's place, a camper on his uncle's lawn. They long to own a dog and when they find some puppies for sale, they just need to come up with a way to earn the $100. Plenty of humor here but also a good deal of pathos. Reluctant readers will appreciate both plus the short chapters. <582>

All these things I've done

ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin (FSG 2011) is my latest audiobook (Brilliance). About a century from now, the world has changed in some respects. In other respects, not so much has changed. Readers learn the landscape through the eyes of Anya Balanchine whose family has been associated with organized crime for some time. Anya cares for her dying grandmother, her impaired older brother, and her younger sister all in addition to being a "typical" teen of 2083. Chocolate is illegal (and this is the family business) but alcohol is unregulated. Anya falls in love with Win whose father is the district attorney. Here is a futuristic romance that parallels Romeo and Juliet in its romance, conflict between families, and political intrigue. This is the first book in what is to be a series, but it does stand alone and complete on its own. The audio narration is spot on. <579>

Liar, liar, pants on fire

LIE by Caroline Bock (St. Martins Griffin 2011)has at its heart, a hate crime and the lies it takes to try to cover it all up. Skylar is still reeling from the loss of her mother. Her father works double shifts, in part to control his own grief. When the new student at school shows Skylar some attention, she falls into a relationship so dependent that Skylar is able to rationalize Jimmie's odd behavior. One night, Jimmie and a friend beat two brothers, putting one in the hospital barely alive. Jimmie's friends all agree to lie to cover up his part in this crime. The mantra is "everybody knows, nobody's talking." Skylar is torn: she loves Jimmie, but she did witness the brutality of his attack. She has difficulty reconciling the two images. Multiple narrators keep this story moving along quickly. <556>