Flip Flop by Wendy Lawton

On the surface Wendy Lawton's book, Flip Flop appears to be a fun, teeny bopper novel and it is. But it is so much more. Briana and Chickie are best friends who live across the street from one another in a nice, older neighborhood in rural California. Bree's father travels a lot for his job, and as far back as she can remember has had a drinking problem. In order to keep the "family business" private Bree has hung out exclusively at Chickie's relatively normal home. When the reality home improvement show Flip Flop chooses the friends for an episode, Bree fears that her secret will be exposed.

Wendy Lawton creates wonderful three dimensional characters that are so likable that I wanted more! She handled the problem of alcohol abuse with a deftness that could, I believe, actually help anyone who has suffered from its fallout. At one point in the story I didn't even realize that I was crying as I was reminded of some difficult times in my past. Tears of hope that things can change.

I would love to see this book on every tween-to-grandma's book shelf.

Flip Flop is book two of the Real TV series which is available on Amazon at bargain prices!