Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks

Remember, Pastor,” Daddy said, “Isabel will have the assistance of our girls, and they’ll be a big help to her.” “Yes! Yes, that’s right! They will!” The relief in his voice rose from downstairs like the good smell of bread baking in the oven. But I’ll tell you one thing: I hoped I had not cooked up a recipe for disaster.

Book: Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks by KD McCrite, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Friendship, Relationship with family, Change, Respect, Popularity

Summary: Kids know when something’s wrong – whether the adults believe them or not! So when April Grace’s mom starts looking and acting like something’s wrong, April Grace isn’t fooled for a minute by all the reassurances that everything is fine. Finally the truth is revealed: her mom is pregnant! April Grace and Myra Sue are going to have another sibling. Neither girl is pleased about it though. And when their mom turns out to be having a difficult pregnancy, April is more worried than ever that this was a bad idea. Why didn’t her parents consult her before doing something like this? She could have told them that having another baby was not a good plan. She’ll do all she can to help her mom though – including help with - and even be in - the Christmas pageant so that her mom doesn’t have to run it. Meanwhile, she’s got to figure out how to deal with the new clique at school. An old friend has turned into a snob and is putting down everyone not in her clique – something April Grace can’t stand! Then there’s the love triangle her Grandma is in. Only one of the men showing up is on April’s “approved suitor” list, but she isn’t entirely sure about either of them. Sometimes life can just be complicated!

Notes: This is second in the Confessions of April Grace series. It’s a story about a young girl and her opinions about life, told from her perspective. She seeks to follow God and be the kind of person she knows He wants her to be, but has a tendency to let her own fears or opinions get in the way. There isn’t much spiritual content, mostly just April’s opinions on life. There is definitely religious content though. April’s family attends Church and is very involved there. And the Church reaches out and shows kindness to a couple who has been staying with April’s family.

Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.