Gypsy Rizka (original 1999; edition 2000)

see http://www.sfsite.com/05b/gy57.htm ( )

Rizka has dedicated herself to the (mis)management of the townsfolk of Greater Dunitsa. Using her unique and wiley people skills she helps others win true love, shelter homeless animals and cure chicken phobias (which, of course, she may have caused in the first place). All this she accomplishes while living with her faithful feline and waiting for the return of the chiriklos and her gypsy father.

Lloyd Alexander will always have a place in my heart for his authorship of The Prydain Chronicles which I read repeatedly in my tween years. This story didn't seem to have the same depth of characterization as those but I believe this is because this story was written for a younger level. Taking that into consideration I will say that the story was enjoyable. Written in an episodic way Rizka is a good example of a clever and self-sufficient young lady and we get to see how she uses her creativity to solve her own problems and the problems of the odd townsfolk around her.

I did like the story although I had to work at it to stay interested. I think that this is one that had I read it when I was younger I would have enjoyed much, much more. I think this would be a great tale for kids 4th grade and up. ( )

The Towns folk don't know what hits them when Rizka decides to take action against the small and sometimes larger injustices that go on in her small town. They don't know how much they need her and she doesn't know how much she needs them untill she has a chance to leave. ( )