Signed, Skye Harper

Gr 9 Up—Winston was four years old when Momma left to become a movie star, leaving Winston to be raised by Nanny. Now, it's the summer of 1972 and Winston, age 15, is working to be as good a swimmer as her idol, Mark Spitz. Momma's infrequent letters have taken an ominous tone. She has finally given up on her dream and writes "The money jar, though, has run dry and there aint a red cent in it. What do you 2 say about coming to git me?" Winston has mixed feelings. It doesn't feel like Momma, also know as Skye Harper (her stage name), really wants to be her mother again. Things have been going along just fine without Momma. But Nanny is on a mission to get her own baby girl back home, and the two set off in a neighbor's "borrowed" RV toward Las Vegas, only to find out many miles later that the boy Winston has a crazy crush on, Steve, is asleep in the back. Nanny is determined that Winston will not repeat the same mistake that as she and Skye had committed by becoming single teen moms. Although Winston has no plans to take things that far, she's tempted by Steve's sweet, intoxicating kisses. And as the miles roll on, Winston becomes more and more nervous about seeing Momma again after all these years. Terrific pacing, an engaging plot, believable dialogue, and well-developed characters.—Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY