March 28, 2011
When Jane and her brother inherit the house in Coney Island where their late mother grew up, they move in with their father, planning to stay one year to prepare the house for sale. Sixteen-year-old Jane has lived everywhere from London to Tokyo, but amid Coney Island's rundown attractions and checkered history, she hopes to find clues about the mother she desperately misses. Palpable without being melodramatic, Jane's longing is well-wrought, as is the supporting cast of teenage dwarves, giants, and other Brooklyn natives, including a love interest for Jane. The mysteries Altebrando (What Happens Here) weaves into her story (what is the Dreamland Social Club? what iconic Coney sites do the keys Jane finds unlock? why is the carousel horse chained to a radiator in their living room so important?) will keep readers engaged, though not much really happens. Rather, this is a languid, introspective novel about a search for identity and meaning; against the backdrop of impending gentrification and development, both Jane and Coney Island itself are caught between the pull of the past and the uncertainty of the future. Ages 14âup.
December 1, 2011
Gr 5-7-Tara Altebrando's story (Dutton, 2011) interweaves family sorrows, the history of Coney Island, carnival "freaks," and first love. Jane, her brother, and her father have moved many times since the death of her mother. The family moves to Brooklyn from London when the siblings inherit the home in Coney Island where their mother grew up. Jane hopes to get to know her mother better by learning about boardwalk life. The author incorporates a lot of fascinating Coney Island history as Jane meets a unique group of characters at her unconventional high school, among them a little person named Babette, Legs the Giant, and Leo, a familiar but mysterious tattooed boy. Along the way, she learns about her family's carnie past. Intriguing characters and a deft blend of carnival history both past and present draw listeners in. Erin Moon is a strong narrator, giving all the characters unique voices. Her excellent pacing helps convey Jane's confusion. The combination of personal loss and growth, eccentric characters, and the sad decline of both people and places will intrigue teens-B. Allison Gray, Santa Barbara Public Library System, CA
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