From School Library Journal
Grade 3–6—Amanda MacLeish begins a history project at school just when things are falling apart at home. The story opens with a tense game of Monopoly at the MacLeish house—who knew that Boardwalk could so effectively reveal marital problems? Soon after, Amanda's parents separate, and she can't bring herself to share the news with her best friend. Instead, she pours her heart into a school assignment, an imagined Civil War diary of 10-year-old "Polly," whose brothers are fighting on opposite sides. The emotional tone of the diary reflects Amanda's adjustment to the permanence of the split. The child's observations and reactions seem spot-on for a fifth grader. She tries diligently to do the right thing, make sense of adult behavior, and come to terms with her new family arrangement. She finds comfort in the rhythm of the school day with a teacher who models kindness. Her parents awkwardly but diligently address the impact of their decision on their children. Although the story seems more workaday than elegant, it addresses many issues of relevance in a straightforward style and provides age-appropriate food for thought.—
Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NE Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"Addresses many issues of relevance in a straightforward style and provides age-appropriate food for thought." —School Library Journal
"A polished and accessible exploration of a tough situation, sure to resonate with kids." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Mills wins again, with an eminently likable protagonist, well-integrated subplots, and an emotionally involving story, perfectly aimed at her middle-grade audience." —The Horn Book
"Believable and appealing" —Kirkus Reviews
"This makes a good choice for Mills' many fans, as well as for children in search of a satisfying family story." —Booklist
"Mills deftly connects Amanda's current situation with her diary entries about a fictional character named Polly." —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“Claudia Mills’s newest novel sparkles like a glass of ginger ale, peppery and sweet. . . . A splash of American history, a dollop of friendship, a pinch of philosophy, humor, pathos, even a dash of romance.” —Barnes & Noble Review
