Pretty

Gr 6–10—Intelligent, poised, and confident, 13-year-old Sophie, who is biracial, lives with her mother, Janet, who is African American and has a successful career as a freelance fashion writer. Her mom is also an alcoholic. When the teen gets home one afternoon, her mother's sister Amara is there, saying she's going to stay with her niece while Janet is on extended assignment in Paris. Janet doesn't explain what she'll be working on or how long she'll be gone, and she leaves early in the morning before her daughter gets up. Life with Sophie's aunt is very different. Amara not only checks Sophie's homework but also insists they have dinner together every night and attend church on Sundays. While Sophie at first resents the loss of her autonomy, soon she begins to enjoy her time with her aunt and even considers moving in with her. After several weeks, when Janet suddenly returns from rehab, Sophie is stunned and hurt that her mother's whereabouts were kept from her, but eventually, with Amara's help, they reconcile. This follow-up to Sayre's Husky is the second installment in a series about a group of kids in a Brooklyn neighborhood. Despite a slow start, this title could spark discussion about young teens dealing with alcoholism in the family.