After Elaine

Gina Beck starts the story with her eagerness to end 5th grade and start middle school. Her older brother Brian is just as eagerly anticipating starting his senior year as Gina starts 6th grade. Middle child Elaine is going through a terrible adolescence. She is rude and hostile; attacks Gina and on one occasion leaves her in the mall so she could shop and ogle boys with her friends. Gina has the presence of mind to ask for help and finds Elaine and her friends. I like the way she confronted Elaine and Elaine was rightfully punished for that one. I didn't like the power struggles or spitting matches Elaine and her mother had. Elaine is like a toxic cloud. Her venomous hatred infects the well being of the family. Elaine steals money from Gina; she is defiant to the point of being out of control. Finally, the girl's father tells her he will find help for her even if it means sending her to a hospital. Sadly, Elaine never receives this help because she is killed in an autombile accident shortly before the school year ends. Gina is left with a lot of residual anger at her older sister and Brian offers the voice of reason. Gina acts out much more subtly, including stealing a toy dragon from a store. She returns the dragon and Brian helps her see why doing this could only lead to future problems. Sixth grade is not the cakewalk she envisioned. An antagonistic teacher and a nasty classmate who jokes about Elaine's death make for a very ugly mix. Things come to a head literally with a bang. This is a well written and highly recommended book that looks at death, loss and anger and adult foibles realistically and honestly.