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Letters in the Attic by Bonnie Shimko is a very different coming of age story than the usual fare.
Lizzy McMann is a twelve-year-old who has a unique way of looking at life and the people around her. In many ways more mature than her own mother, Lizzy is not above taking charge of situations when necessary - which happens more often than not.
After Manny's (Lizzy's father) announcement that he wants a divorce, Lizzy finds herself moving from Phoenix, AZ and into the home of the newly introduced grandparents living in New Jersey. As if turning her life upside down were not enough, soon after arriving in New Jersey Lizzy must deal with the discomfort of her first bra, the embarrassment of the arrival of her first period and the mixed emotions of her first date.
But the only thing that actually scares Lizzy are the feelings she has for her best friend, Eva Singer who is dyslexic, looks like Natalie Wood and makes Lizzy's insides "race with a newness I don't understand."
With every word and page, Ms. Shimko manages to tap directly into the reader's emotions, as she brings her characters to life and weaves her story around them. When Lizzy's life took a turn for the worst, I found that my mood plummeted as I fretted for this child. At the same time I found I couldn't help cheering her on, holding out hope that she would persevere in the end. It's been some time since I was so drawn to a character that the line between fiction and reality disappeared completely.
I invite all of you to meet Lizzy - she is one very special gal.
Until next time...
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