Cicada Summer by Beaty

Cicada Summer by Andrea Beaty. 2008.
Audience: Grades 4-6
My Rating: 2*s of 5
Summary: Twelve-year-old Lily, believing she could have prevented the accident that caused her brother's death, has quit speaking leaving everyone to think that she is brain damaged, but in her silence she sees everything, and when sly newcomer Tinny comes to town, Lily suddenly has a lot to talk about--if only she can make herself speak the words.

Comments: A debut novel that has many of the right ingredients, but somehow the recipe is off. Lily's vow of silence is a strong concept, but it gets lost until the end of the book. The flashback chapters are unclear as is the unfolding timeline of the climax. Drama of Tinny's criminal ties seems forced.

Awards:
Read-alikes:

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff. 2009.

Audience: Grades 4th-6th. Ages 8-12.
My Rating: 3*s of 5

Summary: After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

Comments: A light touch on a heavy subject. While I found it difficult to connect with Annie for the first half of the story, the last few chapters made the read worthwhile. One can only hope there is a Mrs. Finch out there for every grieving young person.

Awards: Bluebonnet List 2010-2011.

Read-alikes: Olive's Ocean by Henkes, Leo and the Lesser Lion by Forrester, Love Aubrey by LaFleur.