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Booktalk
#1
Life has always been a struggle
for Britt and her family. Her single mom works so hard just trying
to pay the rent on their tiny apartment that it’s nearly impossible for
her to make progress on her dream of finishing college. Fortunately,
Britt’s big brother Bran has always been there to help---strong, patient,
responsible, and now he seems to have achieved the impossible! This
summer they’ll be moving to Florida, where her mom can attend classes at
the college of her dreams, and they’ll be living in a real house---rent
free! Bran has arranged the whole thing on his own. Thanks
to him, the family has a chance at really making it---so why is he acting
so strange? Why is the brother who was always so understanding, thoughtful,
and fun to be around suddenly so secretive, so cranky, and always nagging
her about stupid rules? Why won’t he let them run the air conditioning,
or sit on the furniture, or use the dishes? As a summer in Florida
stretches out in front of her, Britt is not so sure it’s the answer to
her prayers, but she is sure of one thing----she has to find out what’s
really going on! (New
Hampshire Great Stone Face committee, 2005-2006)
Booktalk #2
Britt and her older brother
Bran have moved to Florida so their mother can finish her college education.
When Bran finds a house for them to house-sit for the summer, Bran and
her mom are excited. But Bran changes and becomes very strange and secretive,
forcing the family to do strange things such as not touch the thermostat
or the lights, using only certain rooms. Britt starts to suspect that they
are not supposed to be in this house, but their mother is so busy with
her classes and studying, that Britt doesn't want to bother her by discussing
it. Bran becomes even stranger, and Britt finally confronts him, but by
then it is too late. To add to the suspense, the owners of the house are
not the people whom Britt and her mom thought they were. Disaster follows
when all is revealed, but through the disaster, unfinished business from
the past arises and must be resolved. (Jean B. Bellavance for Pennsylvania
Young Reader's Choice Awards, 2006-2007) |
