If the Witness Lied by Caroline B. Cooney

(This book has been nominated for Tayshas. I wrote something about it for a book discussion we had this morning, and thought I'd repost it on the web, per the suggestion from my coworker Larissa.)

Jack, Smithy, and Madison once had two parents. Then their mom became pregnant and was diagnosed with cancer. She chose to have the baby and forego chemo, which ultimately brought about her death (after she gave birth to the healthy baby, Tris). The father struggles to take care of the four kids alone, and is initially grateful when his sister-in-law offers to move in with them and help take care of the family. Then a freak accident happens – toddler Tris manages to shift the family’s car out of park and run over the dad, killing him. With the dad gone, the aunt takes over running the family, and creates changes in the house, slowly getting rid of any evidence of life before her arrival. After the dad's death, Madison moves in with her godparents and Smithy goes away to boarding school. Jack is left at home, needing to protect his brother Tris. When the aunt decides to bring the media into their home to broadcast the life of Tris, Jack knows that he must keep his brother out of the spotlight and away from the scheming aunt. Smithy becomes suspicious of the details of her dad’s death, because the only witness to the accident was her aunt, who seems to be intent on breaking the family apart.


Thoughts (may contain spoilers!):
Another good book by Caroline Cooney, a mystery/suspense master. What's up with the cover that has nothing to do with the storyline? Once I got started reading, I didn't want to put it down. The teens are smart and resourceful. The ending might work out a bit too easily, but I enjoyed the ride getting there. It's interesting that the two girls return home on literally the same day, both compelled to fix their family. Does that imply that they were being led by supernatural forces (the spirits of their parents wanting justice), or was their motivation the effect of experiencing the anniversary of their dad's death and the need to be near family? Perhaps the timely return of the sisters was a bit unrealistic, but overall I think this is an interesting read. For teens, grades 8 and up.

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Ellie grieves for her artistic free spirit sister Nina who disappeared two years ago. Her sister did not leave behind any clues but Ellie stumbles onto one when she finds one of Nina's drawings with a phone number on it in a donated box at the place where her friend Amanda works. The phone call is not much help, the man claims he does not know Nina but a flyer on the bulletin board with an invitation to a party seems promising to Ellie. Ellie goes to the party where her sister once hung out and there she meets Sean, a handsome guy. They are separated at the party but meet up again in the coffee shop where she works. Sean convinces her that he wants to join her in her quest to locate her sister. Ellie learns that Sean has suffered his own loss and wants to help her since his own situation can not be changed. He tells her he knows their meeting was fate. So they take off in his car with very little to go on and begin their cross country search to find Nina.

Comments: I agree with SLJ on this one. "An unbelievable plot." "Sloppy writing." This was a Top Ten ALA Teen pick. I can see the appeal for teens. There are some eccentric characters and some twists and turns that keep you interested. Plus you do want to know Nina's story if she is alive to tell it. Why did she just vanish? Why has she not made contact?
Some of Sean's dialogue is so dorky and cheesy but in a way it makes sense to me when you learn more about him. It is just part of Sean's maniacal self I think.
My daughter plans to read it so I will get her take on it.