Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters

Standiford (How to Say Goodbye in Robot) sets up an enticing premise: the Sullivans' über-rich grandmother, Almighty, has written the entire family out of her inheritance because one of the eight-member clan has offended her. Unless the guilty party confesses satisfactorily, her millions will go to charity (and not just any charity: Puppy Ponchos, which "provided rain ponchos for the dogs of people too poor to buy dog raincoats for themselves"). Thus begins a delightful tale in which the three Sullivan sisters pour their hearts, souls, and deepest secrets into letters to Almighty. Written in first person, each letter traverses the same time period, yet the girls' unique voices and perspectives shine through: wholesome Sassy, who thinks she's un-killable; spitfire, nonconformist Jane, who riles everyone up with her dirt-dishing blog, www.myevilfamily.com (a real site); and do-gooder Norrie, who falls in love with the wrong guy. Standiford makes reading about Baltimore high society and the flawed, pampered, but likable Sullivans feel like a wickedly guilty pleasure. By the time Standiford reveals Almighty's real beef, readers will wish that more family members had confessions to make. Ages 13–up. (Sept.)