Journey to the US Virgin Islands, to the tiniest of islands called Water Island and find Caroline Murray in a state of utter loneliness and confusion.  Caroline’s mother has recently disappeared and Caroline is bereft. While her father tries to keep the family going, he and Caroline are overwhelmed by loss and life is gloomy despite the tropical surroundings.  In school, Caroline is bullied mercilessly until a new girl arrives and befriends her. Caroline and Kalinda forge a deep bond and feelings of love and intimacy begin to grow. Kalinda gives Caroline the courage to hunt for her mother and the two girls embark on a fact-finding mission that ultimately brings them to the front door of Caroline’s mother’s new home and a life she is living without Caroline.  Caroline is shocked and furious that she was abandoned and this sets up a series of difficult conversations that are long overdue between her father and mother. In addition to this complicated family dynamic, Caroline is plagued by a dark spirit of a woman in black. She is convinced that the spirit is out to harm her and this lends the novel a touch of mystical realism. While this novel features a strong and courageous female, same-sex relationships and takes place in a lesser-known American territory, the actual plot is difficult to believe and not terribly enthralling.  This would make for an alternative purchase for middle school libraries.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook