Book Review: Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Delilah Hannaford is a bit lost--kind of fumbling, actually.  She's falling behind in school, she's hooking up with this guy Finn who probably isn't right for her, and she's so disconnected that she accidentally swipes some makeup and gets caught stealing.  Delilah is the complete opposite of her single mother, a self-made business success, whose mode of thinking has more in common with a GPS device than an actual person.  When Delilah's grandmother dies, necessitating a trip up to her house in Vermont, her two living daughters, Delilah's mother and aunt struggle to understand what broke apart their family eight years ago.

This is one of those rare YA books that is very much about family, with other action and plot-lines coming in second.  There's plenty of intrigue here, as Delilah confronts the major mysteries of her family: her mother's sister Stephanie's mysterious death as a teenager, and what broke apart the family 8 years ago at her grandfather's funeral.  Growing up in New England, I'm quite aware of the stereotype of New England families not talking about anything, of the secrets, the tough stuff that no one wants to discuss.  It's captured so well here, as the truth gets slowly unraveled, both through Delilah's efforts and by chance.  At the end of the summer, no one will be the same, but they'll be better off for the honesty.

Readers will swoon over Patrick, Delilah's childhood friend turned crush turned something more.  The Vermont setting absolutely comes alive, so much that I could practically taste the maple-drizzled ice cream.  I'd say this is the perfect summer read, because it was, except that it doesn't actually hit bookstores until the fall.  There's so much to look forward to in this strong sophomore effort from Sarah Ockler, author of Twenty Boy Summer.

*** This review is based of the ARC, and it looks as though both the title and the cover are not finalized at this time.  The title on my copy was Fixing Delilah Hannaford but it is abbreviated on the author's website. The book should hit bookstores November 2, 2010. ***