The Sister's Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley.Amulet Books, 2005. 284 pages.

Two sisters, Daphne, 7, and Sabrina Grimm, 11, find themselves in a series of awful foster homes after their parents (and only living relatives) inexplicably disappear. The real story starts when the girls are dropped off with a new foster mom who turns out to be their grandmother Grimm, an Everafter  who lives in an isolated and strange little town in upstate New York filled with mythic and fairy tale characters. Snow White is a school teacher, Prince Charming the Mayor, The 3 Pigs are Police. The sister's Grimm must get used to their new life while solving a crime involving a destroyed farm house and a huge foot print, while saving their Grandmother from a kidnapping Giant.  Part mystery, part fractured fairy tale, part adventure the story is delightful, but long and windy-- take note because not all 4 to 6 graders will be ready for a thick twisty plot and 300 pages. But for those that are the book is a clever and funny and satisfying. series.

Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff. Henry Hold & Co. 1993, 200 pages.

First person narrative written in verse. LaVaughn is 14 and wants to go-- is determined to go-- to college. She has lots of support from her mother and her teachers and while it will not be easy, she is going to get out. LaVaughn agrees to babysit for  17 year old single mother -2 kids- Jolly because she needs to save money for college. Jolly, with no support, is, of course, a mess. Their unlikely friendship helps Jolly find her way to a better life and gives LaVaughn some important life lessons.

I am glad is stuck with this book-- it was recommended by a young patron. Initially, i thought i knew where the story was headed-- yadddah yaddah yaddah-- but i was wrong. The story is not new but it is very real and is told in an honest and truthful way that is hopeful without being deceptively simple or trite. I really enjoyed it and just added the rest of the trilogy to the ya collection. And the verse style really enhances the telling.