Twelve-year-old Miranda lives a good life in New York with her mother, who is preparing to win big on a 1970's television show. Things begin to unravel when Miranda's best friend, Sal, gets beaten up. Miranda finds a series of hidden notes meant for her with information that no one but her should know and her house is broken into. When she pieces together the clues and finds out what it all means, it's something she could never have imagined.

This fantastic coming of age book has a Judy Blume feel, but with a twist of fantasy and an element of mystery. Although marketed to middle school kids, it is one of those rare gems that spans ages (but probably not for children younger than ten as there is a scene describing a homeless man getting hit by a car). The families in the book are loving, and the friendships are very realistic and, at times, charming. The main character is a good, smart and independent girl.

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