When the World Tips Over

Gr 9 Up–Another sweeping sibling drama filled with romance and hints of magic from the Printz winner. Dizzy, Miles, and Wynton Fall are each struggling with the aftermath of their father's abandonment. Intense Dizzy, 12, loves researching random facts, but her best friend recently left her for a new friend group. Beautiful Miles, 17, feels the weight of his perfect looks, grades, and sports feats while keeping his sexuality a secret; he writes unsent emails to his father. Gifted Wynton, 19, plays his violin with an otherworldly skill, hoping their dad will hear and come home. They each encounter Cassidy, a mysterious girl who borders on manic pixie dream girl and changes them in indelible ways as they try to uncover a centuries-long curse that seems to hang over their family. When a tragedy strikes, the siblings embark on a road trip to find Cassidy, who they think is the key to unlock the many conflicts they're facing. The saga is presented through the alternating points of view of each sibling and Cassidy. Interspersed through the present-day story are their mother's unsent letters to them, her wayward husband, her long-dead brother, and others. Readers are also treated to excerpts from Cassidy's fairy-tale–like retelling of the Falls's ill-fated history, which is filled with fratricide, forbidden romance, and magical vineyards. There are many threads to keep track of, but Nelson expertly weaves them all to create a splendid and complex tale. Her writing is magnetic, and teens will fall in love with her characters. Patient readers will be rewarded with a satisfying and soul-thrilling ending.