Pizza Puzzle - Hardcover

Taryn realizes that the whispering she hears between her parents is really fighting, and she is worried that they may get a divorce. Her worry carries over to school, where she is accused of playing a nasty prank on one of her teachers. Her two closest friends have a perfect alibi, so they too wonder--did she do it? To prove her innocence, Taryn must investigate. She finds herself lying to cover up her parents' problems, while trying to uncover what actually happened. Can Taryn clear her name as well as make things better at home?

Grade 4-7?Seventh grader Taryn Powell's parents argue in whispers, adding to her suspicion that her veterinarian father is having an affair with his receptionist. When Taryn becomes distracted by these family problems during English class, the teacher, unpopular Mrs. Erdman, humiliates her in front of the class for refusing to reveal the source of her inattention. At lunch, Taryn and her friends talk boldly, but facetiously, of a mean prank that might be just revenge on Mrs. Erdman?ordering six pizzas to be delivered to her house C.O.D. The real target of Taryn's vengeance, however, is her father's receptionist, and while she attempts to spy on the woman, someone else actually carries out the pizza scam. In a chilling scene, Taryn is called to the principal's office and subjected to a culprit's interrogation. Lexi Richards, a girl Taryn barely knows, lies to bolster her alibi, standing by her when her good friends fade away. Lexi later helps Taryn try to find the real perpetrator, but Taryn's troubles only deepen. The full truth finally emerges, including her father's admission of the need for marriage counseling, but not until after Taryn realizes that "Sometimes the truth doesn't count as much if it's surrounded by lies." The ending is hasty and contrived, with the class clown neatly baited into confessing his guilt, and Taryn's former friendships restored with no hard feelings. Nevertheless, readers should appreciate the satisfaction of seeing the underdog triumph.?Susan W. Hunter, Riverside Middle School, Springfield, VT
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.