Sophie Someone

To help her unravel the mystery of her true identity, the narrator of this engrossing coming-of-age story (“Told the only way I dare tell it”) creates her own language, substituting words and changing font size and typeset for dramatic emphasis. While this initially demands focused attention, readers will soon get a handle on translating what she’s saying: “Lifting my phoenix to my eel, I crossed my flamingoes and waited,” notes Sophie, describing making a phone call. In sections labeled “Sophie Shell-Shocked,” “Sophie Nobody,” “Sophie Sherlock,” and “Sophie Pratt,” the 14-year-old recounts several key childhood memories, including an escape from England to Brussels, the destruction of passports, gaining a new noodle (name), and discovering that she lacks a birth certificate. Long (Being a Girl) creates intrigue as she plays with themes of language and communication, as when Sophie’s father denies he speaks English, Sophie makes surprising discoveries on Faxbucket (Facebook), and her mother channels her frustrations by blaring rap music. Readers who embrace Sophie’s eccentric narrative will be rewarded with revelations about the cost of deceit and the healing power of honesty. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)