Comment

I was excited about the skateboarding theme in an Oakland setting, but what really stuck with me was the true-to-life character development of Daphne, the 12-year-old protagonist. Reconciling with her formerly estranged father and coming to terms with his alcoholism, Daphne goes through all the stages of resentment, willful irrationality, and endearing grumpiness that you'd expect from a smart kid who's been betrayed before. The author is an Oakland librarian. --Margaret, Children's Librarian, Asian Branch