The Tangled Web: A Julie Mystery (American Girl Mysteries Series) Book

Julie really likes the new girl in her class, Carla Warner. Still, there's something odd about her. The things Carla says don't quite add up, and she avoids answering questions about her family. At first Julie is sure there's a sensible explanation, but soon she starts to wonder what's really going on. A disturbing discovery leads her to realize that her new friend may be in real danger! An illustrated "Looking Back" essay provides facts about America in the 1970s.

Children's Literature

This novel follows Julie Albright as she tries to solve the mystery of Carla, the new girl in school. Living with her mom and sister in a small apartment after her parents' divorce, Julie always tries to make the most of things and believe the best in people. When Carla joins her class at school, Julie is eager to get to know the girl and be her friend. But the stories Carla tells her just don't fit. Carla says her two brothers go to Maxwell Academy, but there is no such school. Carla points out young "siblings" on the playground, but they turn out to be part of other children's families. And when Julie shows up at Carla's house, the person who lives there says Carla is not his daughter, but rather his dog walker. Some readers might become frustrated that Julie is so easily fooled by Carla; it takes her too long for her to become suspicious and realize Carla is lying. Still, the text is lively, and references to the Vietnam War and San Francisco's "Painted Ladies" are interesting. These historical elements are explored in a "Peek into the Past" section following the story. Part of American Girl's "Julie Mystery" series. Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger