Coolness to the Wind

Fifteen-year-old Lizzie-the self-styled and aloof Miss Coolness-is packed up and heading out the door for a three-day weekend stay at her grandmother Mimi's place. Mimi lives in another town at the retirement community Wren Haven . . . the height of uncool. Why couldn't she stay home alone, she argued. She didn't need babysitting. But no amount of pouting would change her parents' minds. They were heading to a business event. It was also a much needed getaway.

Monday, a thunderclap of bad news arrives. Her parents were killed in a car crash on their way home. Everything changes. It hits Lizzie that she is about to become one of Wren Haven's full-time residents-very uncool.

To Lizzie, if word gets out that she's living at Wren Haven, she'll lose her title in a flash. What Lizzie really wants to do is go home, hang out with her friends-at the pizza place or the mall, anywhere other than at Wren Haven with old people.

Meanwhile, Mimi's life is also upended. She's made a new independent life for herself at Wren Haven, footloose and fancy free. As much as she loves her granddaughter, Mimi isn't thrilled having to raise a child again . . . a rebellious one at that. Then again, Mimi is all the family Lizzie has left (except for a weird uncle). She needs the safety of a home.

Forced together, Mimi and Lizzie face their inner selves while struggling with priorities. Then, when everything begins to go well, Mimi's money starts to disappear. But how? By whom? Fingers are pointed, even at Lizzie.

Coolness to the Wind is a delightful and thought-provoking coming-of-age story woven with the wisdom that only an older generation can offer a young girl.