title: The Cresswell Plot
author: Eliza Wass
description: Gr 9 UpCastley (Castella) Cresswell is a triplet and one of six children born to a self-styled prophet of the Lord, who is content to rule his family's insular and fundamentalist religious "cult" from a dilapidated home in the woods of upstate New York. Father has written his own confounding book of revelations and beliefs that the children must study along with the Bible in a home where food can be in short supply when selling refurbished junk doesn't bring in enough money. A mostly silent and disabled mother, whose legs never healed when God was the chosen doctor, looks on while the three boys and three girls, whom their father has matched up together to be holy spouses in heaven, attempt to get by in the town high school, where they are typically treated like freaks. Two of Castella's brothers endure physical privations and spiritual punishment due to their interest in girls outside of the family, while Castella flirts with the lures of the outside world after being partnered up with George, a talkative freshman in drama class who wants to draw her out. This claustrophobic novel has little to recommend it to teens: no relatable plot, few convincing or compelling characters, and lots of bizarre lifestyle depictions make the impending crisis of the Cresswell family little more than a head-scratching curiosity. Readers may be unclear whether the book's goals include establishing quirkiness or eliciting sympathy for the children of a dangerous religious fanatic. VERDICT This attempt at gritty outsider realistic fiction is unlikely to draw converts.Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](index-1_1.jpg)
  
  
  Lisa Kleypas
  
  
  Mine Till Midnight
  
  
  **LONDON 1848 AUTUMN**
  
  
  Finding one person in a city of nearly two million was a formidable task. It
  helped if that person's behavior was predictable and he could usually be found
  in a tavern or gin shop.
  
  
  Still, it wouldn't be easy.
  
  
  Leo, where are you? Miss Amelia Hathaway thought desperately as the carriage
  wheels rattled along the cobbled street. Poor, wild, troubled Leo. Some
  people, when faced with intolerable circumstances, simply ... broke. Such was
  the case with her formerly dashing and dependable brother. At this point he
  was probably beyond all hope of repair.
  
  
  "We'll find him," Amelia said with an assurance she didn't feel. She glanced
  at the Gypsy who sat opposite her. As usual, Merripen showed no expression.
  
  
  One could be forgiven for assuming Merripen was a man of limited emotions. He
  was so guarded, in fact, that even after living with the Hathaway family for
  fifteen years, he still hadn't t