E S H

It can be quite painful to be in-between, as Alice in Wonderland and Kenny Lugo in this novel clearly show. Whether she is a girl growing too quickly to fit into a house, as Alice was, or a girl ace-bandaging her growing bustline--neither is comfortable in her own skin. Kenny is still a frightened girl, believing herself to be all alone; and her neurotic gender-confusion proves it! But is it really just she against the world, or does she have allies who can help her through it? The author, Sherrri Reynolds does a masterful job showing just how confusing growing up can be, and how a little help from friends and family, even though imperfect, can really make a difference. Great sense of place--small town in Tidewater Virginia; excellent depiction of flawed, realistic characters.

Well paced mystery that keeps the reader page turning despite the creepiness of protagonist's career. The author does a great job of portraying main characters as persons damaged by their past who nevertheless work hard to act morally. The author is particularly adept at accurately portraying children and adult survivors of child abuse. She is also especially sensitive to the needs of these "victims" to become the hero of their own story by seeking the healing waters of forgiveness.

Whether or not Trecie is real or imagined, alive or ghost is the true mystery here--rather than "who-done-it". Amy Mackinnon does a good job of letting the reader in on the ambiguity early without revealing the answer until the end.

A good read, excellent choice for book club members as it would provide many areas for discussion: issues of child abuse and police/state reaction, necessary role of healing rather than removal as the answer, worthiness of "damaged" persons, existence of ghosts and persons who communicate with the dead.