The Big Shuffle

When the death of her father leaves her mother bereft and incapacitated, card shark Hallie Palmer returns home from college to raise Hallie’s eight younger siblings. Hallie’s older brother has a scholarship and a sensible major–which translates to free tuition and desperately needed future income for the family. So it’s up to Hallie to deal herself in as head of the chaotic household.

But even after the invasion of those well-meaning, casserole-carrying purveyors of comfort the local church ladies, Hallie’s in a downward spiral. Thank goodness for old friends like Bernard and Gil, now proud parents, who keep Hallie afloat with good humor, brilliant organizational skills, and Judy Garland’s most quotable quotes–not that life is entirely peaceful now that Bernard’s wise, willful, and delightfully outrageous mother, Olivia, is back from Europe with a big (and shockingly young) surprise.

Through it all, Hallie discovers that life can indeed turn on a dime, and that every coin has two sides plus an edge. Just because beginner’s luck doesn’t always last forever doesn’t mean you’re out of the game.

“We’re approaching Cat in the Hat level chaos and no one’s even had breakfast yet.”

When the death of her father leaves her mother bereft and incapacitated, card shark Hallie Palmer returns home from college to raise Hallie’s eight younger siblings. Hallie’s older brother has a scholarship and a sensible major–which translates to free tuition and desperately needed future income for the family. So it’s up to Hallie to deal herself in as head of the chaotic household.

But even after the invasion of those well-meaning, casserole-carrying purveyors of comfort the local church ladies, Hallie’s in a downward spiral. Thank goodness for old friends like Bernard and Gil, now proud parents, who keep Hallie afloat with good humor, brilliant organizational skills, and Judy Garland’s most quotable quotes–not that life is entirely peaceful now that Bernard’s wise, willful, and delightfully outrageous mother, Olivia, is back from Europe with a big (and shockingly young) surprise.

Through it all, Hallie discovers that life can indeed turn on a dime, and that every coin has two sides plus an edge. Just because beginner’s luck doesn’t always last forever doesn’t mean you’re out of the game.

Library Journal

Hallie Palmer is back, and her world remains as turbulent as ever. This third entry in Pedersen's Palmer series, following Beginner's Luck and Heart's Desire, recaptures the same balance of zaniness and compassion. Called home from college by her father's sudden death, Hallie feels her world continue to spin out of control as her mother's emotional breakdown leaves her in charge of her eight younger siblings. With the steady if sometimes unconventional help of longtime mentor Bernard and his partner, Gil, along with her truly unconventional great-uncle, Lenny, she manages for the most part, at least to hold the family together. A steady onslaught of snow storms, floods, chicken pox, and financial woes keeps life off balance, but humor and hope shine through. The result is an engaging, light read suitable for general fiction collections. The book includes an interview with the author and discussion questions for reading groups. Jan Blodgett, Davidson, NC Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Laura Pedersen was the youngest columnist for the The New York Times. Her first novel, Going Away Party, won the Three Oaks Prize for Fiction. Beginner's Luck was selected by Barnes & Noble for "Discover Great New Writers," by Borders for "Original Voices," and by the Literary Guild as an alternate selection. Additional titles include Last Call, Heart's Desire, The Big Shuffle, and The Sweetest Hours. Laura has appeared on "Oprah," "Good Morning America," "Primetime Live," "The Today Show," and David Letterman. She's performed stand-up comedy at "The Improv" and writes material for several well-known comedians. LauraPedersenBooks.com.