Kimmel (In the Stone Circle
) introduces a 13-year-old narrator who is by turns chirpy, sardonic, glib and melodramatic—and always likable. An aspiring novelist, Lily relays her story through journal entries whose various writing styles (first-person narrative, scripted dialogue, play-by-play reporting) help keep the tale moving at a brisk and entertaining clip. Lily laments the fact that she's stuck with "sadly unexciting parents" who keep her away from "everything interesting, loud, frosted, or exceeding 55 miles per hour," and understandably becomes intrigued by distant relatives she meets at a family wedding. The free-spirited LeBlancs and their daughter are not only physically striking and elegantly dressed, but they are, well, cool
. Self-described environmentalists and vegetarians, the trio defies hotel rules and takes a midnight swim in the pool—convincing Lily to join them. As this family repeatedly charms and swindles Lily, readers will foresee the consequences long before she does—and may well be a bit frustrated by her naiveté. But Lily's infatuation gives way to disgust—and remorse—after the LeBlancs (whose name is actually "White") finally go too far. There's a lesson to be learned here and Kimmel delivers it humorously and affectingly. Kids will deem Lily cool indeed. Ages 9-13. (Nov.)
