Virginia Nielsen

More of a 2.5 - its a bit like the Sweet Valley High mysteries mixed with the Lying Game.

Nothing I disliked overall - its super quick to read, the plot keeps going and while the characters felt a bit...dated, that's to be expected from a book older than I am.

I did look a bit askance at Gilly (who we primarily follow and is, in the end, the less selfish twin) falling for Gerry's boyfriend, but Mark at least had a much better head on his shoulders than Ryan.

Meanwhile this situation couldn't possibly be legal. It just FEELS illegal?… (more)

This middle-aged bat fan liked the way bats are portrayed in this book. It's nice to see facts about bats instead of scary folklore. Six-grader Hattie is stuck with her uncle the bat researcher because her clarinet-playing mother has a chance for a European tour. I was older than Hattie when my mother's job was transferred almost completely across the country and we had to move, but I understand how the girl feels. Readers who have ever had to change schools during the school year and gotten teased by the new classmates will know what Hattie goes through. (Consider my hand raised...) I recommend this book for the bats and Hattie finding her way.… (more)

This was probably my favorite book in high school. I thought it was the most exciting book I'd ever read- and possibly got me started in reading mysteries.
Jacey, a department store teen employee, is asked by a classmate to help him hide a fortune in jewels he happened to fall heir to (now that I look back, I can see how implausible the initial plot really is! Not that it would have stopped me from liking the book) as he is being threatened. She takes them to work and mentions this fact to the wrong person. When the store closes for the weekend, Jacey finds herself a prisoner there along with two people who are after the jewels. She spends the weekend hiding and scrounging for food and supplies whenever she can, while the would-be jewel thieves attempt to lure her out.… (more)