LILY B. ON THE BRINK OF PARIS

Bonjour, faithful readers. Brilliant author-to-be Lily Blennerhassett is having yet another adventure: She and seven classmates are off to Paris, where Lily will gather Life Experiences for her Great Parisian Novel. She’s prepared to wander dreamily in the city of Ludwig Bemelmans and Oscar Wilde, leaving all the annoying little details of following a schedule and not getting lost to her ever-organized friend Charlotte. Why should Lily pay attention to their agenda or the address of their hotel when she knows Charlotte will take care of that for her? Predictably, Charlotte’s dire warnings soon come true: Lily becomes separated from the group, alone in a strange city where she doesn’t speak the language. The comic coincidence that resolves Lily’s frightening adventure is thoroughly giggle-inducing. Soon the diverse group of students—jocks and geeks, francophiles and hippies—all find common ground in the wonders of the Père Lachaise Cemetery. As always, Lily’s offbeat adventures are good for a laugh. Très bien. (Fiction. 9-12)