From School Library Journal
Grade 4–6—Olivia's friend Hal wants his widowed mother to break off her engagement. He misses his father desperately and finds his mother's fiancé, Alec, a poor replacement. Olivia helps Hal to concoct a plan that will make his mom mad at Alec. The real result of the prank, however, is that Hal's mom disappears for five days, which the boy finally realizes is an attempt to force him and his prospective stepfather to get along. Her trick works, and the novel ends in a case of "happily-ever-after." A compelling element that is not explored enough is Hal's synesthesia, a neurological condition that causes him to interconnect color, smell, and taste. Olivia's first-person narrative is often funny and conveys the suspense and mystery regarding Hal's mother's whereabouts, but the story is too quickly wrapped up and doesn't address the emotional aftermath of the mother's scheme. A glossary illustrates Irish language and cultural terms used in the novel, an enjoyable element.—
Marie C. Hansen, New York Public Library Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Irish tweens Olivia and Hal are best friends and as different as chalk and cheese. Opinionated Olivia is a total pragmatist, while dreamy synesthesic Hal associates things with colors and tastes. Hal comes up with a plan to make his mother’s boyfriend move out of their home and his life, but he only succeeds in driving his mother away. In trying to undo this error, he and Olivia meet a sympathetic young police officer, who tells Hal about a ritual that Hal hopes will help him find peace with his absent father. Olivia’s decisive narrative voice carries the character-driven plot and adds a wonderful note of quirkiness to what could have been an overly sentimental ending. Parkinson creates a warm, moving story of real families facing real problems, while avoiding the pitfalls of formulaic problem novels. The economy of her prose is admirable; all characters are well drawn and developed in this compact, satisfying read. A glossary of Irish words and cultural references will aid American readers. Grades 4-7. --Debbie Carton
