The Chain Letter

Livvie doesn't believe in chain letters like her best friend Joyce. This is a good thing since she throws away a chain letter she receives in the mail. THE CHAIN LETTER by Julie Schumacher begins with this setup, and trouble soon follows. Livvie's first bit of bad luck doesn't phase her --- but after getting in trouble during choir class, losing her math book, falling down her back stairs, and getting invited to dinner at Peter Finch's house, she decides that maybe she needs to answer the letter. Livvie lives alone with her mother, Kate McFee. Most of the tension in the story revolves around the fact that Phil Finch, Peter's father, wants to date Livvie's mother. Peter and Livvie are good friends, but that doesn't count for much. Phil Finch is just plain weird, especially to a sixth-grade girl. He has crooked teeth, glues doll heads to the hood of his car, and has plastic decorations all over his front lawn. To make matters worse, he is hiding a terrible secret in his upstairs office. Young readers will identify with the likable protagonist in this story. Livvie is confronted with real life issues of family and friendship. She learns that good luck is sometimes disguised as bad luck and that you can make your own luck in life. THE CHAIN LETTER is Julie Schumacher's second novel for young readers. She is also the author of several short stories, two adult books and GRASS ANGEL, her first novel for young readers. Ms. Schumacher has created truly memorable characters in THE CHAIN LETTER. You won't be able to put the book down during the suspenseful climax, which combines danger and mystery. --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner ([email protected])