Me: In 2020 I'm going to read more new stuff. 

Also me: Let's reread this Caroline B. Cooney novel late late one night when I should be asleep. 

I don't remember why, but I had a sudden need to reread this book. It was like a craving that wouldn't go away. The book is really silly, but I still enjoyed parts (probably out of nostalgia), especially when Alice is on the college campus. Cooney's novels are very exciting when you're 10 and the internet is not a thing or when you're... older than 10 and just need to take a little brain break and revisit your childhood. 

Task 3: The French expression for tolerance towards others is “laisser faire, laisser aller” (roughly: “let them do as they want, let it go”). Have you ever “let go” a book (e.g., given it away or decided not to yield to the temptation to buy it) and later regretted that choice?

I really do not give away books. It either because I got them and love them or their authored. But lastly. Thank to all the new babies being born in my family (My Cousins).

I have been giving away, my Children books. That are for their right ages. Books given away to them for their birthday and Christian and Christmas. One book was given to my mom friends baby at a baby shower. A few when to my mom friend daughter. (These one I might have regret if she not been using them)

I have not regret it. I think I rather give and see the return when giving does to others. (I do not give them away until after I have reviewed the books, if they were review books and most are)

Books listed and linked up above.

I have a few to give away to my cousin for their kids at Christmas this year that are not linked above.

Janie is having breakfast one day whenever she sees her face on the milk carton. She realizes that she must be kidnapped and tries to figure everything out.

Christina is an island girl. Her home on Burning Fog Island in Maine is a resort in the summertime, but, with only a tiny year-round population, students have to go to school on the mainland when they start 7th grade. This means boarding in a stranger's house and being away from their families, but Christina is excited to hear that the new school principal and his wife, an English teacher, are opening their colonial home to all four of the island children this year. They'll all be together, what could happen?

The Shevington's home is as beautiful as they'd heard, but they are relegated to cheerless attic rooms. The boys shrug off the inconveniences, but it quickly becomes apparent that something is wrong with the eldest island student, the brilliant, but fragile, Anya. No one wants to hear Christina when she begins to ask questions about the Shevingtons and their mysterious past, or about the other promising girls who have vanished after crossing their path.

Caroline B. Cooney is one of the founders of tween suspense, so I was thrilled to come across this omnibus of a trilogy I'd read back in middle school. Part one, The Fog, is a masterful setup, introducing the characters and making a good effort to get the reader to doubt Christina. Too soon, however, the plot creates spectacular tragic accidents and blatant cruelty that is ignored by almost every adult. Trick psychology and gas-lighting go only so far, even in a small town in Maine in the late 1980s.

It's also clear that Anya was heading for a fall long before she set foot in the Shevington's house. Impossibly twee.

If the reader gives in to the fun of the story, however, it is a fun ride and some of Christina's responses to the bullying and harassment she receives from fellow students and adults are inspired.