Nandy in a Nutshell

*note* this review contains spoilers and is more of a rant than a constructive recommendation

oopsie daisy

     Hello, Internet! I recently read this novel at a friend's recommendation and decided to review it. As far as I know, it's not one of those uber-popular books like the Harry Potter series, but it's worth a read.

Genre; Mystery (murder mystery, specifically)  Romance
         

Plot;
     A girl who lives in a trailer park and goes to a local high school starts getting mysterious messages from an unknown person. The messages are cryptic and read like clues, and suddenly, a girl from the protagonist's school is left drugged and unconscious behind some bleachers at a sports game. More and more of these incidents start piling up, and they are all related to the clues that the main character is receiving. Worse - the main character, Nearly (yes, that's her name), realizes that she is probably the next target. She can't tell anyone, either, or else people will, understandably, think she's out of her mind and probably consider her a suspect herself. Oh noes!

     Additionally, there's this strange, rebel-type kid that's following Nearly around; rebel meaning like eyebrow piercings and a tattoo - in high school! His name is Reece, and he seems like he's trying to help, but really, in my opinion, he's getting a little too close for comfort. Also, even though this kid is well liked and actually portrayed in a very positive light, I kinda hate him. SPOILER: NEARLY ENDS UP WITH THIS KID. UGH!

      Finally, Nearly is vying for a scholarship that will basically win her a ticket out of her decrepit trailer park home. The scholarship is enough to leave the trailer behind and go to college, but he is up against some tight competition, but unfortunately, her studies start to suffer. It turns out, surprisingly, that solving a murder mystery really eats into your studying time. Who woulda thunk? SPOILER: SHE LOSES THE SCHOLARSHIP

     


     Although the plot kept me hooked until the very end, the actual resolution was very unsatisfying. At least, from my very biased viewpoint, Nearly should have studied harder instead of chasing after Mister Rebel Wannabe. Sure, she solved the mystery, but now she has nowhere to go, with no money to pay for college and a boyfriend who can't help her in any way.

It's probably apparent that I will be that mom who demands straight A's from my kids

     Although good as a mystery book, in my opinion, this book sends all the wrong messages about things like school and the importance of your future.

     However, I would highly recommend that  you read this book; maybe then you can yell at me for hating on Reece, or maybe you will agree with me.

     Bottom line; guys, stay in school. Love, a 12-year-old girl with no experience in the "real world" whatsoever.

     Make sure to check out Nearly Gone!