Call Me Amy

The spring of 1973 in small-town Maine has been just as dull and isolating as winter was for eighth-grader Amy Henderson, since her best friend left Port Wells one year ago. Overall nervousness, the awkward side effects of puberty (namely acne), and having a picture-perfect older sister do nothing to improve Amy’s shaky demeanor. But the sudden appearance of an injured harbor seal brings her closer to two unlikely allies as they care for the seal, dubbed “Pup,” in secret: loudmouthed Craig, whose carefree personality is a cover for underlying insecurities and family problems, and elderly Miss Cogshell, who proves to be worldly and kind, despite her reputation as “the most terrifying inhabitant of Port Wells.” Strykowski lovingly captures seaside Maine and the travails of adolescence in her quiet, sweet-natured debut novel. While this story about finding confidence in oneself is fairly predictable, with a climactic tragedy helping invigorate the somewhat slow-moving plot, readers should still enjoy losing themselves in the coastal setting, especially those who share Amy’s concern for animals. Ages 8–12. (May)