South of Somewhere

February 15, 2024
Grades 4-7 Upon returning to their Chicago home from a luxurious vacation in Maui, Mavis, her father, sister, and brother find the FBI in their home, searching for Mavis' mother, a wealth manager. Her mother, who has vanished, has been accused of embezzling millions of dollars. Barred from their house and with frozen bank accounts, the family is broke with nowhere to go. Desperate, the family heads south of Chicago to stay with their estranged aunt and cousin. Mavis realizes she will not return to school, leaving her friends and privilege behind. Confused and sad, the siblings receive postcards from their mother, who seems to be globe-trotting. Can Mavis and her siblings adapt to a different life? Will the FBI find their mother? Miller writes a heartfelt and warm book about the importance of family and community, and her flawed adult characters allow for interesting character development from the children. Mavis' conflicting feelings about her mother add depth and suspense, leading to an ultimately satisfying resolution.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2024

Gr 3-7-Returning from a Hawaiian vacation with her family, 12-year-old Mavis Callahan thinks her biggest problem is the sticky sand lingering between her toes. But when the Callahans turn onto their Chicago street, Mavis's plans to race her older siblings to the shower are derailed by the FBI. The agents are there to arrest her mom, Julie, for embezzlement. But Julie Callahan had mysteriously separated from the rest of her family at the airport, and now can't be reached. Mavis and her dad and siblings are stunned to learn that all their family assets, including their house, have been seized. They retreat to their estranged aunt's house in tiny Fairbank, IL. Cramming their family of four into Aunt Melissa's bungalow is a challenge for the privileged Callahans, but they soon adapt to their new normal. By spending time with her four-year-old cousin, Mavis learns that she actually enjoys babysitting, which soon leads to a friendship and joint babysitting venture with neighbor Emma. Meanwhile, questions swirl about Julie's whereabouts. Postcards from far flung, tropical destinations hint that she's on the run; but if the Callahan siblings and their new friends team up, they just might find her and get some answers. All main characters are presumed white. VERDICT A charming entry in the crowded middle grade contemporary field. Great for fans of Janae Marks and Dusti Bowling.-Dana West

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2024
A wealthy girl's life unravels when her mom is accused of embezzlement. Unlike her two older siblings, 12-year-old Mavis has never questioned her lavish life--full of vacations and shopping trips, not to mention a home in one of Chicago's richest neighborhoods. She also doesn't doubt her position as the most-favored child, her wildly successful mother's "mini-me." Then one day, her mother disappears, and the FBI shows up. With their home seized and bank accounts frozen, Mavis' stay-at-home dad is forced to beg for help from the once-close sister he's ignored for the last 18 years. The shattered family moves into Aunt Melissa's basement in a small town south of Somewhere, Illinois. Resilient Mavis makes a friend and starts a babysitting business. She also starts receiving postcards that lead her and her siblings to track their mother down. Complex, fully defined characters, including Mavis' genuinely narcissistic mom and well-meaning but initially passive dad, plus a nuanced, realistic portrayal of a family putting itself back together, take what could have been a standard riches-to-rags story and turn it into a thoughtful exploration of class, love, and relationships. As Mavis gradually reframes her memories and expectations, she comes to treasure the rest of her family. Major cast members read white. Precise, subtle details and complete emotional honesty bring these characters to life from the first page. (Fiction. 8-13)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.