cover image Blink

Blink

Sasha Dawn. Carolrhoda Lab, $17.99 (344p) ISBN 978-1-5124-3977-9

In this engaging mystery from Dawn (Splinter), 16-year-old Josh Michaels has a lot on his plate. As he cares for his four-year-old twin sisters while their mother works long hours, and watches his mom make bad decisions with her abusive ex-husband, Josh struggles to balance his home life with school and dreams of a football scholarship. When the beautiful, elusive Chatham Claiborne appears on a beach in his tiny Chicago suburb, Josh is immediately drawn to her and soon finds himself pulled into her story about a runaway sister, abusive foster parents, and a mysterious bag of cash. But after a child’s body is found, parts of Chatham’s tale start to ring false. Could she be connected to a girl who went missing years earlier? Although a plot link involving Josh’s mother’s ex strains credibility, Josh is a likable character whose drama-filled family is heartbreaking and otherwise realistic. The mystery surrounding Chatham provides intriguing and unexpected plot developments, and teen readers will find much to relate to and enjoy here. Ages 13–18. Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger. (May)