Just Victoria

Victoria lives in a rundown house that her parents are fixing up, and her best friend, Chelsie, lives in an elite part of town known as the Circle. In sixth grade, the difference was a small one. But now, the summer before seventh grade, everything is changing. Chelsie has fallen under the influence of Peggy, who knows all the right people. Some of the time Chelsie used to spend with Vic is now taken up by cheerleading practice. She and Chelsie used to visit Chelsie's grandma, but Vic starts going alone. Then Vic finds out that the family's tight budget means few new school clothes in the fall. She and Chelsie drift further apart, until in a fury, Vic wishes her best friend's grandmother would die. As soon as she's said the words, she regrets them, but Chelsie's grandmother does die, and Vic must face her conscience. This is the charming and quietly understated first book of the Victoria Mahoney series. Vic isn't the type of person to poke loud fun at herself, but her ordinary hopes and fears have the compelling ring of truth. (10-12)