The Big Shuffle

October 1, 2006
Hallie Palmer is back, and her world remains as turbulent as ever. This third entry in Pedersens Palmer series, following "Beginners Luck" and "Hearts Desire", recaptures the same balance of zaniness and compassion. Called home from college by her fathers sudden death, Hallie feels her world continue to spin out of control as her mothers emotional breakdown leaves her in charge of her eight younger siblings. With the steady if sometimes unconventional help of longtime mentor Bernard and his partner, Gil, along with her truly unconventional great-uncle, Lenny, she managesfor the most part, at leastto hold the family together. A steady onslaught of snow storms, floods, chicken pox, and financial woes keeps life off balance, but humor and hope shine through. The result is an engaging, light read suitable for general fiction collections. The book includes an interview with the author and discussion questions for reading groups."Jan Blodgett, Davidson, NC"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2006
Hallie Palmer, who came of age in Pedersen's previous books (" Beginners Luck," 2003; " Heart's Desire," 2005), is forced to go beyond what anyone expects from a college sophomore when her father dies and her mother has a nervous breakdown. As oldest daughter in a household of 10 children, she is left in charge. Assistance from offbeat relatives, church ladies, and friends goes a long way to make survival possible, but Hallie bears all of the responsibility. Faced with twin baby brothers she can't tell apart, a sister who decamps to Boston, and the day-to-day challenge of keeping all those people dressed, fed, and in school, she takes little time to mourn. So overwhelmed is she, her breakup with her boyfriend hardly creates a ripple. In time her mom returns home, and the family, while still feeling precarious, learns and grows. Pedersen is skilled at capturing teen language and style and manages to put a great deal of humor into what could have been a maudlin tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)