SCPL Teens discussion

A Stir of Bones by Nini Kiriki Hoffman is a prequel to her earlier series “A Red Heart of Memories.” This book starts off with a girl known as Susan who has a seemingly perfect life; her mom does volunteer work at various places and is usually helping the community, while her dad is a lawyer who makes sure she can have anything she would ever want. When we take a closer look this seemingly perfect paradise is really just a cage that was made by her father and at first, she can see no way out and gives up all hope of gaining freedom.

This book was about her journey to escape this cage with the help of some old and some new friends. Julio, the son of their housekeeper, was an old friend of hers who had not been in touch with her for a while because her father had not liked them seeing each other. One day while given permission by her father to go to the library for a school research project she overhears a conversation between Julio, Deirdre, and Edmund. This conversation was about going to the haunted house to explore and to potentially make it their base of operations for “secret” business. As they realize that there was someone listening they begin to confront Susan to which Julio introduces her to the group and the group to her. Susan promised them she wouldn’t tell anyone about their plans so long as they took her along with them and at first, Deirdre was against the idea but they eventually agreed to take her along. This small interaction between them would lead to an entire adventure that would unfold. What will these new friends find at the house? What problems will they run into? What are their goals by the end of this dangerous adventure?

I personally gave this book a 4 out of 5 because it has amazing suspense and a detailed description of the setting and characters. This book was a joy and thrill to read and would recommend to anyone looking for a temporary escape from their life to follow another in a life-changing journey where the reader can learn just as much as the main character about their own lives and how true friends are willing to help you and that you should accept their help.