The Message Writer (Paperback)

Twelve-year-old Naomi is short, she has Russell-Silver Syndrome. Her best friend is Tara, from Laos. Both girls are being tormented by the mysterious message writer who progresses from name-calling, chalk-scribbled writings on the sidewalks in front of the girls' homes to threats and thefts. Told by Naomi, the story of prejudice unfolds in preteen tempo and vocabulary. Naiomi's views of the world and how the world views her will be parallel to the reader's. As Naomi and Tara attempt to discover the message writer's identity, their relationships with schoolmates are explored and insightful discoveries are made. Naomi also comes to terms with herself about her mother's boyfriend, who is a puppeteer, and her birthfather's new wife, who is pregnant. She gains realistic perception about her place in both parents' households. With a nod to Hamlet, a puppet show reenacting the mystery writer's deeds is written by the girls and staged in school, with the help of Naomi's new dad to be. Audience reactions shed light on the mystery.