TANGLED WEBB

Juniper Webb's new stepmother is nearer her own age (12) than Dad's, but—though protective of family traditions she associates with her dead mother—Juniper is prepared to welcome Kelsey and her toddler son, Preston. Kelsey is mysteriously unpredictable, however—friendly, obviously in love with Dad, yet secretive and rather obviously untruthful about her past. At first as a game, Juniper and her friend Alison try to ferret out the truth; that they eventually succeed is due partly to coincidence but also, to a believable degree, to their intelligence and persistence. The story takes a while to pick up momentum, but Newbery Honor winner McGraw does a fine job of establishing her characters, especially Juniper—nice, uncomfortable with snooping, but ever-more concerned about what Kelsey is concealing—and Kelsey herself, whose fears and odd behavior never outweigh her evident good qualities. The pace accelerates after a woman at a mall seems to recognize Preston and—prompted by friend Pete—the girls begin to imagine the many reasons Kelsey might be in hiding. The entirely plausible truth will surprise most readers as much as it does Juniper; and the sensible, loving way she helps her family reestablish itself makes a satisfying end to this unusually well-constructed mystery/family story. (Fiction. 10-14)