Signs Point to Yes

Gr 8 Up—To save herself from her mom's meddling, Jane Connelly accepts a job as a nanny to three little girls. It brings her back into contact with Teo, a childhood friend. Teo Garcia barely knows Jane anymore. But the more Jane and Teo interact, the friendlier they become. Teo is hiding a secret: He is searching for his birth father. All he knows is his name. Jane inadvertently learns about Teo's mission and tries to help, with mixed results. This romance features just the right amount of teen angst. Jane faces immense pressure from her mom about her college future. Teo feels like he is losing his connection to his mom and his heritage, which pushes him forward in his search for his father. It is a summer of changes for both of them, and this bonds them together. Their interactions are silly and shy and resonate with growing emotions. Though the romance is just plain sweet, there are scenes of teenagers drinking and a sprinkling of curse words, which may put off some readers, but also showcases how genuinely Hall has captured her characters. A subplot involving Jane's sister's coming out as bisexual is rather clunky within the larger story, but the sisters become closer for it. Will there be a happy ending? Outlook good! Fun and original, Hall's sophomore novel has an authentic teen voice with plenty of charm.