Andi Unexpected


Andi Unexpected
Amanda Flower
Zondervan

 Twelve-year-old Andora “Andi” Boggs and her fourteen-year-old sister Bethany move to rural Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt after the sudden death of their parents. While dealing with her grief, Andi discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree whose existence was hidden in a Depression-era trunk in the attic. With help from her new friend and neighbor, Colin Carter, Andi is determined to find out who this first Andora was and what happened to her.

 I haven’t read a lot of kids books in while, but this one sounded like a good one- I’m always up for a good mystery, you know. However, I’m not sure if it is because I’m older that I didn’t enjoy this one so much, or if it really was just a so-so book. I’m inclined to think it the latter; there are plenty of kids’ books I still enjoy, so I wouldn’t say I’ve exactly “outgrown” them as a whole.

 I think what I disliked most about Andi Unexpected was the attitude of the kids- I mean, all that talk about cell phones and texting and really, her older sister was a huge brat. A lot of times Andi seemed more like a teenager than a 12-year-old. The worst part is, I’m sure that these are how most kids act today. (To quote the Professor, What do they teach in schools these days?) I’m not saying there was really anything inappropriate in here, it’s just that I can’t help but roll my eyes and get annoyed at a 14 year old who thinks she’s dying because she doesn’t have unlimited texting. I’ve never texted in my life and I’m still alive.

 But on the other hand, I was interested in the mystery- who was this first Andora, and what happened to her? All the same, for a reader who’s used to the stakes being a bit higher in a mystery (I mean, honestly, I’m kind of used to a universe-imploding-if-the-heroes-don’t-win kind of deal) a lot of the “danger” fell a little flat for me, although I understand that for kids, a story like this would be more appropriate.

 I was hoping that the Andi Boggs novels might be a bit more like my favorite kids’ mystery series- The American Girl History Mysteries- which I loved. However, I felt a little let down by this book. A lot of it seemed to drag on for me, and I don’t think I’d be interested enough to read any other books in this series. Still, if you’re on the lookout for middle grade mysteries, you might want to try out this one.

 Rating: 6
I received this book for free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review.

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