When she gets to Pennsylvania, Kate meets her neighbors who have a son  her age.  They also have a younger son Kate babysits so she can earn money for her plane ticket back to California.  On Kate's first day of school everyone makes fun of her because she is new. This continues to happen.  Kate gets back to California, but only for two days because she is sent home by Molly's Mom.  Then a lot of good things begin to happen.  You can read the book and find out.

The Year My Parents Ruined My Life is a very good book.  It is the story of a typical 12 year old and I like that because it shows you what 12 year olds are like.  I also like this book because it has some sudden twists in it and that makes the book more suspenseful and very exciting.

I recommend this book to people who have had the experience of moving away from their hometown.  I also recommend this book to 12 year olds or to people who want to know about teenagers.

Fall 2001