Book Review: Andi Unexpected (Andi Boggs Novel #1) by Amanda Flower

Summary: 

Twelve-year-old Andora 'Andi' Boggs and her fourteen-year-old sister Bethany move to rural Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt after the sudden death of their parents. While dealing with her grief, Andi discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree whose existence was hidden in a Depression-era trunk in the attic. With help from her new friend and neighbor, Colin Carter, Andi is determined to find out who this first Andora was and what happened to her.

Release Date: September 24, 2013

Age Group: Middle Grade

Source: Review copy from publisher
Reviewed By: Kelli

Review:

This was such a cute book!  I really enjoyed Andi Unexpected.  It was a light-hearted, clean read with a mystery element.  I finished the book with a smile on my face, and I'm smiling now as I write my review.  

I don't usually read much middle grade fiction, but when I do I always seem to enjoy it.  It sometimes feels just too young for me, but Andi Unexpected was so enjoyable and Andi's character so fun, that I was drawn in to the story and had a great time reading it.

Andi and her new neighbor Colin are cleaning out her aunt's attic and come upon a trunk with the name Andora on it.  This is Andi's full name, and Andora's trunk belongs to another Andora, who lived during the Great Depression.  Andi and Colin seek to discover the history behind the first Andora, and their investigation stirs the interest of a couple of adults in town, one of which has sinister intentions.

I really enjoyed Andi's voice.  She's been through a lot, losing her parents, yet never loses her enthusiasm or zest for life.  The writing style was just right and Flower hit the right balance between character development and moving the plot along.

The characters were well-developed, the writing moved at a good pace, and the story had a couple of surprises.  Andi Unexpected will appeal to fans of Nancy Drew and mystery novels.  It's a great start to what looks to be a sweet, energetic series.