How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over is the fourth book and satisfying conclusion to the wholesome and heartwarming Tia Lola series about a remarkable Mary Poppins-esque aunt from the Dominican Republic. As in previous books, the story has an over-arching plot line, but also several vignettes involving each of the children, which all wrap up with feel-good messages. The background of this book revolves around Julia and Miguel's divorced parents each preparing to marry new spouses. The blended family is very amicable, and at one point the children all have the opportunity to request traditions they want to save or begin in the new families. The Bed & Breakfast mystery involves an angry local resident who eventually confesses and is sent to an intervention program instead of jail. This title does include some very infrequent language (stupid, cr-ppy), as well as many Spanish phrases that young language students will enjoy. There are good lessons about people taking responsibility for their own actions, and wonderful messages about love and the value of family, even if it is unconventional. Each of the Tia Lola books would be excellent read alouds for home or classroom.
