Pavi Sharma’s Guide to Going Home

After living with four families, Indian American Pavi Sharma, 12, regards herself as a foster care expert. She has developed a business helping foster kids from her former shelter adjust to new homes, teaching her clients how to greet their new family (using “Front Door Face”) and collecting Hot Cheetos and school supplies as payment. But Pavi’s meticulously ordered life is upended when she meets Meridee, a small girl who is days away from being placed with Pavi’s neglectful first foster family. Pavi prefers to keep her business separate from her current life with her nurturing foster mother and her kind foster brother Hamilton, who is Pavi’s age. But remembering with visceral fear the vicious dog fights that took place in the backyard, Pavi decides to use her knowledge of the foster care system to prevent what she is sure will be a disastrous placement, reluctantly enlisting the help of her client Santos, Hamilton, and Hamilton’s pal Piper. Despite the heavy subject matter, debut author Farr keeps the story moving swiftly, skillfully weaving in moments of tension that allow her diverse cast of flawed yet sympathetic characters to shine. Ages 8–12. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong. [em](Sept.) [/em]