My Life with the Walter Boys

Gr 9 Up—When Jackie's parents and sister are killed, Jackie is relocated from her trendy New York City high-rise to the Walter ranch in Colorado. There she meets the 11 boys (and one girl) being raised by the Walter parents. There is no "cheaper by the dozen" charm here, and the norm seems to be wandering around in boxer shorts, making out in bedrooms, jealous fights, and general dysfunction. The sexual tension feels icky; when Jackie arrives, one boy steals her clothes, a video camera is set up, and bets are placed whether she'll come out of the bathroom naked. Jackie and several boys drink to drunkenness, including openly at a family wedding when both parents are present. It's hard to like, or care about, any of the flat, stereotyped characters, including Jackie. Narrator Renée Chambliss tries to differentiate between Cole, Alex, Nathan, Lee, and the rest, but Jackie has no hint of New York City in her voice. Most libraries could pass on this audiobook, but don't write off Novak permanently. This book was written when the author was 15, and with maturity, she may find a subtler, more authentic voice.—Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX