The Deadly Sister

Gr 8 Up—Abby has always protected her delinquent younger sister, Maya, always been there to shelter her misdeeds (drug use, running away, etc.) from their parents. But now, when Abby finds Maya's boyfriend dead in the river with Maya's cell phone nearby, she is going to have her hands full because it sure looks like her sister killed Jefferson in a drug-induced haze. Abby springs into action and begins playing detective to see if she can pin the crime on a more likely culprit. It turns out that Jefferson wasn't the angel adults had perceived him to be, and there are plenty of people with motive to kill him. The Deadly Sister is riddled with red herrings and told by an unreliable narrator, which make the surprise ending all the more shocking. Well-drawn characters, realistic dialogue, and suspenseful twists and turns add to the appeal. Teens crave mystery, and this book will suit them just fine.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL