Monday, May 26, 2008

Elvis & Olive

By Stephanie Watson

For ages 9-12

Everyone has a secret. Natalie Wallis and Annie Beckett hope to learn all the secrets of their neighborhood. They invent secret names (Natalie's is Olive, Annie's is Elvis) to use while spying on their neighbors and hanging out in their cool headquarters under Annie's porch.

Natalie and Annie are unlikely friends, which leads to some funny moments. Natalie attends private school, is always safety-conscious and follows all of the rules. Annie is in public school and is wild and brave, but sometimes tells whopping lies to get around telling painful truths.

Each girl wants to be more like the other, and that makes their friendship strong. Natalie enjoys going on adventures with Annie, since her parents are a bit overprotective. Annie is an orphan who lives with her uncle and longs for the stable, loving family that Natalie has.

The two spend their summer afternoons peeking in neighbors' windows and rushing back to their secret spot to write what they see on notecards. Slowly they build a notecard file about everyone in the neighborhood. Some of the secrets are silly (the Army sergeant makes papier-mâché hot-air balloons) and some are serious (one 14-year-old girl steals jewelry), but Natalie and Annie keep the biggest secrets -- their own -- from each other.

Though this story is predictable at times, it is worth reading for those moments when Natalie's and Annie's personalities clash, and when Natalie starts becoming fearless. Plus, the lessons the two learn about growing up and facing the consequences of their actions can apply to all of us.

-- Amy Orndorff