Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

SEVEN DAYS OF US by Francesca Hornak is an entertaining holiday story about family relationships. Oldest daughter, Olivia Birch, has just returned from fighting an epidemic in Africa and has to be quarantined for a week around Christmas. Her family, Dad named Andrew, Mom called Emma, and sister Phoebe (who is engaged to marry George) step up to the challenge of spending time together at their country home, Weyfield Hall. BUT secrets abound. One member has a serious disease and a potentially compromised immune system, yet another has an illegitimate child and more than one character is affected by a secret romance. There are plenty of misunderstandings, substantial sibling rivalry, and regrets for chances missed, as described by the multiple narrators.    

Even though there are some sad moments, this book offers a quick read that will make you laugh and maybe even cringe (in a good way) at the coincidences that occur over the seven days of quarantine.  At some points, it even felt a bit like the author was channeling the ridiculously funny play, Noises Off.  You will likely see your own family and holiday traditions in a new light. SEVEN DAYS OF US was an Indie Next and Library Reads pick as well as receiving starred reviews from Booklist (“a farcical gem”) and Library Journal. Enjoy!

She is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick

What teen hasn’t felt invisible at times? In his new novel, Marcus Sedgwick has created a character who fights for acknowledgment – Laureth wants her voice to be heard so badly that she takes her 7 year old brother, Benjamin, and travels from the UK to the US without her parents’ consent.    

Are you asking why take a 7 year-old with you? Well, Laureth actually needs him to help her navigate the world … the opening scene in the airport cleverly describes Laureth’s disability and her reliance on Benjamin.  From there, Laureth describes the feelings, sounds and smells of air travel and New York as we are swept along into the adventures and sometimes naïve choices of these likeable siblings. I found She is Not Invisible to be a very quick read and readers who prefer mystery and suspense, especially with strong female characters, will enjoy it.  We all see a book differently and this novel can be read and re-read at several levels. Those with a bent towards psychology may find the discussions of coincidence and synchronicity in Dad’s notebook to be intriguing whereas others may find they need to suspend belief at certain points.   

She is Not Invisible will be available in the US on April 22^nd and has already earned starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist and others I will recommend She is Not Invisible in future booktalks, especially for Sophomores. For other titles by Marcus Sedgwick, a Printz Award winner, please look for Revolver and Midwinterblood.