Flower Moon

Gr 4–6—Tally Jo and Tempest, 13, are blonde identical twins who've been opposites most of their lives. Tally Jo is the leader and Tempest the follower. However, Tempest's growing interest in science and making gadgets begins to change their relationship, as does the weird power she seems able to exert on Tally Jo. This year the sisters are allowed to spend the summer without their parents at Pa Charlie's Peachtree Carnival, a small traveling show. Pa Charlie is their maternal grandfather; they are hoping to learn more about their mother's own absent twin sister. Tally Jo enjoys spending time with her friends at the carnival, especially buddy Digger, and enlists his help in solving the family mystery. The Georgia coast plays a role as the tides and summer storms add to the novel's suspense. Heartfelt moments of self-discovery are touching, but the unresolved issues of what is magic and what is science keep this from being a satisfyingly solved mystery.