the half sisters

In this "prequel" to "Luvvy and the Girls", Luvvy's half sisters come from boarding school to live with her and the rest of the Savage family for the summer. Luvvy wants desperately to be "one of the girls", but is ultimately left out with the "little kids". When tragedy strikes the Savage family, the perspective of everyone changes, and any separation of "them and us" falls away- along with some of Luvvy's innocence. Luvvy is accepted into the "Girls" circle,where she sees how unimportant her desperation has been. I recommend this from ages 10 and up; there is some intense emotion. A wonderful look at American lifestyle in the era, and well-written with exceptional insight into a young girl's complex emotions.