Is Tilly Foote, the new girl, a witch? She does do odd things––speaking in rhymed verse, often to her pet rabbit, Turpentine, sometimes even asking Anne Frank what she might do in Tilly’s place. Or maybe she’s simply eleven-and-three-quarters-years old, a little commonly awkward and, well … quirky? That was until, at a sleepover, she and her four best friends made a fanciful child’s curse. Their exhuberant, if thoughtless, spell is innocently forgotten by the next morning, after “Ninja Breakfast” … but a week later, something unimaginably horrible happens. Did they do it … or was it Tilly? She was the one who had made up the words … all the words.

Tilly and Turp is certainly a YA novel but its multi-generational concept and the variety of characters make it a great story for family and classroom. It begins when Tilly, Turp and her single mom, Emma, lose their Los Angeles home. Footes had lived there for over 60 years, so they were leaving more than a house. Reluctantly, they move to Fresno, the often-named center of the Other California. Emma can continue as an American Sign Language interpreter, and she hopes a new place will stretch their limited income…but signing is taking a physical toll on her magical hands. What will they do when those hands give out?

Tilly is still in her wonder years, but she’s growing beyond the oohs-and-aahs time –– and onto learning tough realities, responsibilities and choices. She’d begun this transition two years before when she and Emma partnered to read The Diary of a Young Girl. It had become a new grounding for Tilly, a measurement of maturity and change. Ironically, she will find unexpected opportunities in this place she had thought so barren…so bleak. She’ll meet new friends and a one-of a-kind teacher. She’ll learn laundromat humility and join the soulful Ernesto for her very first dance. So many surprises, but none can compare with their old, Italian next-door neighbor. Otto is a widower. He has a distant son, a big house, a scruffy dog named Aldo and a mysterious safe in the basement. Herein are mixed the puzzle parts…a surprising place, even more surprising people and just the right time for growth, fun and new wisdom.

Welcome!

Gwyl and Zona