Booklist Review

Stella Moon, a guarded flute teacher, doesn't let people into her life easily. Still smarting from being dumped by her boyfriend, Alex, Stella also has a fair amount of deep-seated resentment toward her father, Frank, who always seemed to place the success of his cooking show over the needs of his two children, even after the untimely death of their mother. Stella's relationship with her father is cordial but distant. Enter Jojo and Midge, 10 and 7, respectively, who waltz into Stella's life when they move into the house next door with their flaky, self-centered mother, Diane. At first Stella is irritated that the girls are constantly over at her house, but as she gets to know them and even takes on Jojo as a student, she finds herself enjoying their company and their offbeat but strangely wise perspective on life. Gibson's third novel, following Wonderboy (2005), is a touching tale about embracing family, imperfections and all. --Kristine Huntley Copyright 2006 Booklist