"Life has been one long snooze," Kenyon Baker tells us in the fist line of Ellen Wittlinger's new novel, RAZZLE. He's been the nice boy for so long. None of the girls at his mother's private school notice him at all. No one questions his goody two shoes status and no one asks Kenyon if he is happy. So when Ken's parents retire and move to Cape Cod, Ken isn't too upset --- especially after striking a deal with his parents. In exchange for his helping to rehabilitate some rundown cottages, Kenyon gets the use of one for the summer. He savors the idea of having his own place. And he really likes the idea of having his own darkroom.

Ken decides to explore his new environment through the lens of his camera. Or at least that's the plan. Then he meets a strange girl during a trip to the town dump with his mother. Razzle, named for the angel of mysteries, lives with her grandmother, brother, and a dozen dogs. Her mother isn't around very often. She has never left Cape Cod and doesn't want to. Razzle likes Ken but she doesn't like Harley, the local cool girl. Harley has all the boys begging for her attention and when she begins to take an interest in Kenyon, Razzle warns him that Harley will eventually hurt him. Ken, being male, refuses to listen. He doesn't want to believe such a beauty could be evil. Razzle must then watch as Harley has Ken running in circles, twisting their friendship and getting him to make compromises with his photography.

RAZZLE is both funny and touching. Wittlinger unfolds a story about friendship and change with great skill. I especially appreciate her portrait of the people who live year-round in a place where most other people only go for pleasure. While she shies away from the most famous towns on the Cape, like Provincetown, she does manage to give a glimpse of what life there is like for natives while showing a complete picture of a smaller town.

People on Cape Cod say that once you begin to recognize the smell of the Cape, or get its sand in your shoes, you'll always return. Take Ellen Wittlinger's invitation and get sand in your shoes by reading RAZZLE!

   --- Reviewed by Cassia Van Arsdale


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