Tell

January 1, 2007
Gr 9 Up-In poker, a "tell" is a sign that someone is bluffing. It might be a twitch, a nervous cough, or a glance. David learned a lot about tells as he watched his stepfather play the game. Now the man has been murdered, and the teen lies when a policeman shows up on his doorstep asking questions. The police quickly focus in on him, and in convincing them of his innocence, David thinks back to his stepfather's tells and realizes some long-hidden truths about his family. Embedded in the mystery are two smaller puzzles involving the boy's brother and birth father. Unfortunately, David's questions about why this man disappeared from his life and where he is now are never explained, but they are not central to the plot. The main mystery is wrapped up so quickly and neatly that fans of the genre might be disappointed that it's over so soon. This short novel is aimed at teens with lower reading levels but it will also appeal to others. Overall, the quick pace and David's secret make this a good thriller."Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2007
When David's stepfather, an avid poker player, is murdered, Detective Antonelli thinks David was involved. Twelve short chapters shift between past and present as David describes the events leading up to his stepfather's death. The characters are rather flat, but the mystery zooms along quickly enough to hook the reluctant reader crowd.

(Copyright 2007 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)