Jillian faces a move, a changed family and summer camp, then gets a break from camp and makes a new friend through catsitting. Neighbour-watching leads her and Emily towards a mystery and an attempt to help.
More about this book
Eleven-year-old Jillian's life is changing and she's not happy about it. First of all, her mother got remarried and they moved from their house in Pennsylvania to her new stepfather's apartment in New York City. Second, her new stepfather has a daughter, which means Jillian now has a stepsister. An evil teenage stepsister who talks on the phone all the time and has a stupid dog. And finally, Jillian is being sent to camp for the summer where she has to endure Peace Circles and sack races. But Jillian gets a break when Mrs. W in the penthouse apartment asks her to catsit for the summer. Mrs. W's apartment is full of art and art supplies, vintage dresses and hats, and cakes and soda, and most important, it offers a great view of the windows in the building across the street. Watching the neighbors is fun--until Jillian and her new friend Emily see something that doesn't look right. And it's up to them to save the day.From the Hardcover edition.
MovingThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.RemarriageThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.StepsiblingsThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Family disruption
Personalised Fit
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Jillian resents the move and her new stepsister after her mother remarries; a new home and summer camp form part of her changed circumstances.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: Does Jillian’s view of her new family shift as she settles into her changed circumstances?
A child-led mystery
While catsitting, Jillian and her new friend Emily watch the neighbours and see something they believe is wrong; they try to help.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The plot links observation and friendship to a mystery-solving adventure, with the girls taking an active role.
Talk about: What do Jillian and Emily notice, and how do they decide what to do?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
The story combines familiar adjustments—moving, remarriage and a new stepsibling—with a child-led mystery and friendship. It may suit readers who enjoy everyday family change alongside a small-scale adventure.
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What Deserves Attention
Jillian is unhappy about her mother’s remarriage and the move, and describes her teenage stepsister negatively. These family adjustments and tensions are part of the setup.
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A Conversation Worth Having
What might help Jillian and her stepsister understand one another, if their relationship changes as the story unfolds?
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Reading Approach
Try reading a few chapters together, then pause to ask what Jillian wants from her new life and what clues make her and Emily think something is wrong.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
A changed family: Jillian’s initial dislike of her stepsister is part of the family tension.
A child-led mystery: The girls’ attempt to help follows their observation of something that seems wrong.
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