Koss, Amy Goldman. The Not-So-Great Depression

Koss, Amy Goldman The Not-So-Great Depression
Roaring Brook Press see macmillan children's pub 2010 266p 9.99
978-1-59643-613-8 ms/hs Realistic Fiction VG-BN
Jacki’s life is fabulous. Then the economy crashes, her mom loses her savings, her dad grows vegetables, and everything changes. Readers will live the struggle Jacki’s family has to go through to create their own happy ending. This is the story of a divorced family who when faced with catastrophe manage to pull their lives together and move on to better things.
Jacki’s mother is the breadwinner of the family. While her father lives with his mother, grows vegetables and bakes for some money. Jacki and her sister are used to having things pretty much the way they like with all of the amenities money can buy. Her sister has plans for a $600 prom dress and college in a high priced school. Jacki simple wants a hamster and her mom to come to her recital.
Her mom does come to the recital and as a result looses her job. Then the economy and her stock portfolio can’t keep up with the finances. The financial change causes a family upheaval in which everyone must make changes. It is how everyone manages those changes that provide the tragic, enlightening, and somewhat realistic story line.
Readers will be able to see the way people positively face a crisis and adapt their wants and lifestyle to meet their resources. This is a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers. It is recommended as a basic book for any upper middle/high school library. It would make an excellent selection for a basic books list for school libraries. McNeil, Linda

Lazar, Carole. Lucy Unstrung

Lazar, Carole. Lucy Unstrung
Tundra Books 2010 240p 12.95
978-0-88776-963-4 ms/jr Animal stories VG-BN

Lucy’s mom is taking exercise classes and has found a friend in Gina. Lucy and her dad felt that Gina is not only taking to much of her mom’s time but also giving her bad advice and now her mom want time away from the family on her own. Lucy is not sure when her mom began to change and feel dissatisfied with her home life but she knows that her mom is spending too much time with Gina and everyday she is coming home from gym later and later and then it happens.
Her mom tells everyone that she needs time to think and wants a separation. What!!!! Lucy is upset because now what will happen to her and her dad who is really her step dad but she has only known him as her dad. And her grandparents what about them. And who will take care of her!!!! Then there is there religious background they are Catholics and there are to many things not right with what her mom wants to do!
The separation takes place but things are always what they seem to be and her mom, Lucy and her dad discover things about themselves that they did not know. Through all of this Lucy was stuck taking care of Gina’s dog that turned out to be a stabilizing force in her life even as her world was turning upside down.
An entertaining book about love, decisions, caring, determination and reflection. A satisfying ending.Diaz, Magna