On the eve of his eleventh birthday, Sam MacKenzie discovers a mysterious newspaper clipping that triggers painful memories. Sam knows the article could tell him more; the trouble is, Sam can't read. He enlists new classmate Caroline, an avid reader, to help. Giff's empathy and affection for these two characters is palpable, and her prose, spare yet descriptive, is compelling. Gr 5-7-Sam is haunted by the symbolism of the number "11." Just two straight lines he reasons-could be a number of a street address, two straight trees against the sky or, maybe, two towering spires of a castle. His upcoming 11th birthday nudges him; there's something he's forgotten. Searching the attic for hidden birthday presents, he uncovers a secret that overshadows his irrational fear of "11." A newspaper clipping reveals his three-year-old face. Sam sounds out one word, "Missing," but he can't read the other clues. Suddenly his daily frustration turns consuming. Sam is smart and creative. He's learned to compensate for his dyslexia. "Caroline New Girl" is a "reader," and when it's time to pick partners for the class project on medieval times, he chooses her. "One thing-.Don't think I'm going to be friends. I won't be here long enough," she warns. The two strike up a friendship of convenience that develops into a genuine bond of support, respect, and acceptance. But with his newfound friendship come suspicions about his loving Grandpa. Sadly, it's Grandpa's guilt over innocent mistakes that gives power to the secrets. The unraveling of Sam's mysterious past will intrigue readers. Children will appreciate the fast friendships, their caregivers' motives, and the struggles of the underdog. Sam, Caroline, and Grandpa ring true with realistically conflicting and unsettling emotions. Set in the western part of northern New York against a rich backdrop of geographic detail and cultural diversity, this novel will be thoroughly enjoyed.-Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.