Richie's Picks: Great Books for Children and Young Adults

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"'New girl?' asked Mary in her minimalist way, displaying absolutely no interest; Dolores had detected a mean and iron spirit beneath her falsely charming demand for fealty from the other girls.  'Not really,' said Dolores.  'I've been one all my life.'"

DOLORES: SEVEN STORIES ABOUT HER is a memorable collection of short stories about a girl who you'll long to meet.  A day after reading it I'm already missing her!  The seven glimpses we are given of Dolores--set chronologically between the ages of seven and sixteen--provide a brief-yet-vivid portrait of a girl who is growing up strong, who is comfortable with who she is, and who is an absolute joy to know. 

Dolores's growth, from the seven year old who is able to gain the admiration and respect of her big brother's teenage friends, to a teenager herself--ready and able to face down the fiercest threats flung her way, is accomplished with the ever-present support of that big brother, Jimmy.  The most poignant scenes in the book are those in which Jimmy is there, time and again, to guard her from harm, to converse with her at the crack of dawn, or to smile and wave at her from up in the bleachers.

"They heard the sound of things being scraped onto plates.  Twice.
'Now the music will go up,' said Dolores.
The music went up.  It was jazz piano.
Footsteps came down the hall.
'You think he likes all this?' Jimmy asked, in spite of himself.
Jimmy heard a rustling in Dolores's bed as the footsteps drew near the door.
'I think he likesus,' whispered Dolores.  'Now, pretend you're asleep! It's the least we can do.'
Jimmy closed his eyes and lay still.  The room was quiet as the door opened."

Dolores, a girl who has learned how to slice through all of the popularity nonsense, how to wield a hot hockey stick, and who also plays a mean electric guitar, is a girl you've gotta meet.

Richie Partington
http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com