Phyllis Wood

Get a Little Lost, Tia Phyllis Wood Revised 2007, Revised edition

Seventeen-year-old Jason Hilliard plays a dual role since his father's death and his mother's return to work. Along with handling his own problems as a teenager, he also must deal with the roller-coaster emotions of his thirteen-year-old sister, Tia. Jason is attracted to Celia Miramontes, a seventeen-year-old with close family ties in the Latin community. With mixed feelings, Jason sees Celia taking time she otherwise would spend with him to help his little sister through a series of problems. Will it always be the two of us and Tia, he wonders. Couldn't she just get a little lost now and then? But when Tia actually does get lost in the mountains, while on a picnic with Celia's family, Jason moans, "That wasn't what I meant when I said to get a little lost, Tia!" This is a smoothly written, entertaining novel of family life and the gentle blossoming of first love.-School Library Journal This is an easy-to-read school story which has sprightly, up-to-the-minute conversation carrying it briskly along. With his widowed mother now working, Jason has had to take on the additional responsibility of his thirteen-year-old sister, Tia. Problems with Tia erupt regularly, as Jason tries to cope with her as well as with his own maturing and his first real girl friend. Positive family relationships are portrayed.-Children's Book Review Service, Inc. Jason, an exasperated but loyal brother, and his generous and understanding girl friend join forces to help an immature younger sister grow up. Still Jason often wishes Celia would pay less attention to his sister and more to him. Tia, in his view, should "get a little lost." When she does, Jason is heartsick. This is an amusing story, especially for sorely tried older siblings.-The Bookfinder