Deanna M. (freshrainfall) reviewed on + 101 more book reviews
Grade 7-10 In this story of sibling rivalry, the spotlight is shining on 17-year-old Sharon's multi-talented and beautiful younger sister, Penny. That light is so bright that it blinds Sharon to her own self-worth. Attempting to gain some perspective and confidence, she accepts a live-in summer babysitting job in a town 60 miles away. The job isn't the ego-builder she'd hoped for. Three-year-old Tim is a realistic combination of teddy bear and terror, but Sharon's real problem is Tim's mother Andrea, a talented painter who rejected her art after suffering some mysterious trauma. Andrea wants complete control over her small family and views Sharon's presence as a threat. Local boy Jeremy tries to convince Sharon of her own value, but it isn't until Tim's father is lost in a boating accident and Sharon successfully manages the crisis that she is able to believe in her own strengths. The story follows the traditional summer coming-of-age formula but with enough extra elements to attract a wide readershipsibling rivalry, babysitting, high-school dramatics, romance and the mild mystery of Andrea's art. A fast-paced plot, crisp believable dialogue and characters who remain appealing despite their flaws are sure to make this title popular with the "light reading"
