Synopsis
Thirteen-year-old Polly loves life — with her single-parent mom (a stained-glass artist), her quirky best friend Vanessa (who has a crush on their English teacher), and her endearing neighbor Ernie Protheroe (who collects postal codes and TV theme songs). But when the house they live in is sold, Polly’s perfect life seems to vanish overnight. Her mom doesn’t have much luck finding them an affordable place to live. And Polly is beginning to think that having a father — and a conventional lifestyle — wouldn’t be such a bad idea. As an interim solution, Polly goes to stay with her affluent relatives. But Uncle Roger turns out to be crass and chilly, his wife is self-indulgent, and their daughter, Polly’s teenage cousin, is on a shoplifting spree. With humor and compassion, Sarah Ellis portrays adolescent enlightenment, as Polly discovers that like the child’s game of pick-up sticks, each part of life touches every other and cannot be disturbed without affecting the whole.
Publishers Weekly
When their apartment is sold, eighth grader Polly and her mother must relocate. The youngster is infuriated that her frequently addled mother has put off finding an apartment until so late. So Polly moves in with her wealthy aunt and uncle, who have every material advantage. The girl soon discovers, however, that her mother is her real family, despite her eccentricity and shaky financial situation. The Canadian setting--here, Toronto--lends an intriguing, slightly foreign air to this comfortable look at adolescent enlightenment. Ellis ( Next-Door Neighbors ) doesn't dazzle, but neither does she stumble as she covers Polly's problems. Her quiet, nonintrusive style is well suited to this slight story, in which she offers a welcome look at how a girl's healthy--albeit unusual--family configuration allows her to grow and figure out what's important for herself. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)