Landing on Marvin Gardens

When Katie's apartment building turns condo, she and her mother must move in with insulting Aunt Rose. Katie is certain living with her will be a catastrophe, and she is not far from wrong. Aunt Rose humiliates her niece in front of handsome Chris, and now he will never ask her out. Rose drives Katie crazy by constantly comparing her to her own daughter, and she smothers the girl so much that Katie fears her creativity will be stifled. During the months with Aunt Rose, Katie learns that people are often more complex than she realizes, and that she should not be so quick to judge. She also discovers that the cost of housing is a serious issue that touches everyone. Zable alternates between themes, resulting in a choppy and somewhat contrived plot. Still, Katie's narration is engagingly entertaining; readers will sympathize with her and laugh out loud at Rose's ridiculous comments. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)