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Andi Boggs #1
Andi Unexpected
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.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2013
14 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Flower
61 books2,948 followersAmanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over thirty-five mystery novels. Her novels have received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Romantic Times, and she had been featured in USA Today, First for Women, and Woman’s World. She currently writes for Penguin-Random House (Berkley), Kensington, Hallmark Publishing, Crooked Lane Books, and Sourcebooks. In addition to being a writer, she was a librarian for fifteen years. Today, Flower and her husband own a farm and recording studio, and they live in Northeast Ohio with their two adorable cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
October 28, 2020
A fun mystery with plenty of surprises.
December 26, 2015
About this book:
“After the sudden death of their parents in the jungles of Central America, twelve-year-old science geek Andora “Andi” Boggs and her diva teenaged sister, Bethany, move to rural Killdeer, Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt. And while the timeworn house has been home to the Boggs family for generations, Andi feels far from at home. Exploring the attic in her grief, she discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree hidden in a Depression-era trunk. Despite the meddling of the citizens of Killdeer, Andi and her new friend, Colin Carter, are determined to find out who this first Andora was, how she vanished, and why no one in town wants to talk about her. As more and more unanswered questions pile up, Andi and Colin must decide who they can trust with their secrets and who is interested in Andora’s story for the wrong reasons.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Andi Boggs” series. {Books #2, “Andi Under Pressure”, will be reviewed next week!}
Spiritual Content- Mrs. Cragmeyer says “it was the Christian thing to do” when being thanked for taking care of Bethany & Andi a few months; Andi says that they (Andi, Bethany and their parents) but after their parents died they (Andi & Bethany) stopped going; Church going; Andi says she gave up Praying the day her parents died.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shush’, a ‘Duh!’, two ‘crummy’s, three ‘stupid’s, and a swear is said but not written; Andi mentions that her dad said that in Central America, lighting “there could skin a cat..”; Bethany snaps at Andi (she’s having a really hard time); A character lies and tricks another man; *Note: Brand names are mentioned: Juicy, Lucky Jeans, and Ab*ercrombie (Bethany wears them all). Girl Scout cookies are also served. Aunt Amelie does yoga.
Sexual Content- Bethany has a crush on Zane (who Andi says is a class-A jerk & only noticed Bethany after their parents died); Bergita tells Andi that Colin had a good time yesterday (cleaning the attic) but then says that maybe it was the company and winks at Andi; Bethany calls Andi & Colin boyfriend & girlfriend once (they aren’t and there isn’t any hints of that between them)
-Andora “Andi” Boggs, age 12
First person P.O.V. of Andi
215 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars
New Teens- Four Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Lowered ratings because of Andi’s not-growing Faith & Sister meanness. :( }
This was a fun and really cute story. It had humor & an interesting historical mystery! The grief between Bethany, 13, and Andi, 12, can be a little harsh because Bethany snaps at Andi. On page 65, the town name of Killdeer, Ohio is explained. This past spring, at my family’s little country Church, I saw a Killdeer (a type of bird) nest. Colin explains it well: “Killdeers live in fields and protect their young at all cost. Their nests are in the high grass. To keep predators away from their eggs or chicks, they will pretend to have a broken wing to make the predators chase them instead.” Pretty neat, huh? In “Andi Unexpected” there’s a lot of history (for a modern book) and Colin. Colin? Andi describes him best: “I blinked at Colin. He was like a walking Wiki site.” Hahaha! It’s true though! ;)
Link to Review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“After the sudden death of their parents in the jungles of Central America, twelve-year-old science geek Andora “Andi” Boggs and her diva teenaged sister, Bethany, move to rural Killdeer, Ohio to live with their eccentric twenty-something aunt. And while the timeworn house has been home to the Boggs family for generations, Andi feels far from at home. Exploring the attic in her grief, she discovers proof of another Andora Boggs in the family tree hidden in a Depression-era trunk. Despite the meddling of the citizens of Killdeer, Andi and her new friend, Colin Carter, are determined to find out who this first Andora was, how she vanished, and why no one in town wants to talk about her. As more and more unanswered questions pile up, Andi and Colin must decide who they can trust with their secrets and who is interested in Andora’s story for the wrong reasons.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Andi Boggs” series. {Books #2, “Andi Under Pressure”, will be reviewed next week!}
Spiritual Content- Mrs. Cragmeyer says “it was the Christian thing to do” when being thanked for taking care of Bethany & Andi a few months; Andi says that they (Andi, Bethany and their parents) but after their parents died they (Andi & Bethany) stopped going; Church going; Andi says she gave up Praying the day her parents died.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shush’, a ‘Duh!’, two ‘crummy’s, three ‘stupid’s, and a swear is said but not written; Andi mentions that her dad said that in Central America, lighting “there could skin a cat..”; Bethany snaps at Andi (she’s having a really hard time); A character lies and tricks another man; *Note: Brand names are mentioned: Juicy, Lucky Jeans, and Ab*ercrombie (Bethany wears them all). Girl Scout cookies are also served. Aunt Amelie does yoga.
Sexual Content- Bethany has a crush on Zane (who Andi says is a class-A jerk & only noticed Bethany after their parents died); Bergita tells Andi that Colin had a good time yesterday (cleaning the attic) but then says that maybe it was the company and winks at Andi; Bethany calls Andi & Colin boyfriend & girlfriend once (they aren’t and there isn’t any hints of that between them)
-Andora “Andi” Boggs, age 12
First person P.O.V. of Andi
215 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars
New Teens- Four Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
{Lowered ratings because of Andi’s not-growing Faith & Sister meanness. :( }
This was a fun and really cute story. It had humor & an interesting historical mystery! The grief between Bethany, 13, and Andi, 12, can be a little harsh because Bethany snaps at Andi. On page 65, the town name of Killdeer, Ohio is explained. This past spring, at my family’s little country Church, I saw a Killdeer (a type of bird) nest. Colin explains it well: “Killdeers live in fields and protect their young at all cost. Their nests are in the high grass. To keep predators away from their eggs or chicks, they will pretend to have a broken wing to make the predators chase them instead.” Pretty neat, huh? In “Andi Unexpected” there’s a lot of history (for a modern book) and Colin. Colin? Andi describes him best: “I blinked at Colin. He was like a walking Wiki site.” Hahaha! It’s true though! ;)
Link to Review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
November 3, 2013
3.5 stars. Andi and her sister move in with their eccentric aunt, Amelie, who lives in an old house that's been in the family forever. Amelie agrees to let Andi have her own bedroom in the attic if she helps clean it out. While sifting through items in the attic, Andi stumbles across a hidden trunk marked with the name "Andora" (Andi's full name). Curious about the relative she was apparently named after, Andi begins asking questions, but no one in town wants to answer - in fact, everyone seems to clam up the moment Andora's name is mentioned. Andi realizes that the mystery of Andora is one she needs to solve herself, along with her new friend and next door neighbor, and she needs to do it before a pushy man in town can do his own investigation.
I liked the story in here and the idea of Andi looking into a family mystery. The mystery itself was interesting and I was curious why everyone was so eager to fall silent instead of giving any sort of answers about Andora. I also liked the idea of a man in town wanting to write a book about the mystery, trying to beat Andi to each part of Andora's story. There was a nice dose of history in here as well, as Andora had been born during the Depression, and the author did a good job of providing background information about the stock market crash and subsequent depression without being too heavy-handed about it. Andi's sidekick was an encyclopedia of knowledge as well, and I liked the random facts he spouted off as appropriate.
I'm not sure exactly what this book was lacking. A lot of the story was just going from here to there to there... and I realize that this is aimed at a younger audience, but I think it could have had a little more excitement to it. Parts of this felt dry, certain parts were slightly overdone for effect, and others things were underdeveloped; clues about the mystery were overplayed, but there wasn't much depth to the emotions of Andi and her sister and how they felt about everything that had led to them living with their aunt.
This was a quick read, and it was an entertaining middle grade novel overall. While it wasn't completely amazing, it was a fun novel that I'm sure will be enjoyed by those who read it.
I liked the story in here and the idea of Andi looking into a family mystery. The mystery itself was interesting and I was curious why everyone was so eager to fall silent instead of giving any sort of answers about Andora. I also liked the idea of a man in town wanting to write a book about the mystery, trying to beat Andi to each part of Andora's story. There was a nice dose of history in here as well, as Andora had been born during the Depression, and the author did a good job of providing background information about the stock market crash and subsequent depression without being too heavy-handed about it. Andi's sidekick was an encyclopedia of knowledge as well, and I liked the random facts he spouted off as appropriate.
I'm not sure exactly what this book was lacking. A lot of the story was just going from here to there to there... and I realize that this is aimed at a younger audience, but I think it could have had a little more excitement to it. Parts of this felt dry, certain parts were slightly overdone for effect, and others things were underdeveloped; clues about the mystery were overplayed, but there wasn't much depth to the emotions of Andi and her sister and how they felt about everything that had led to them living with their aunt.
This was a quick read, and it was an entertaining middle grade novel overall. While it wasn't completely amazing, it was a fun novel that I'm sure will be enjoyed by those who read it.
June 14, 2018
This clever mystery is perfect for an older child. Andora and her older sister Bethany are living with their aunt, following the sudden death of their parents. Still reeling from all the changes in their lives, Andi and Bethany need and want separate bedrooms, but the only other space is an attic room. They work together to clear out decades of old family stuff, and they find a hidden trunk, concealed in a cubby hole, with the name Andora. Thus begins the mystery. This tale explores the issue of loss and acceptance, of change and perseverance, and of family and love. Both girls find ways to cope with the loss of their parents and ways to go on living, with the support of family and new friends. Not overly sad, it is more uplifting as the girls, with help, solve the mystery of the original Andora. Well written with engaging characters.
March 23, 2024
Occasionally, I’ll get the urge to read a middle-grade novel. Is not March supposed to be middle-grade month among the book cognoscente? I don’t recall all their silly months and book designations. Any time is a good time to read tis fun mystery.
This checked all my personal boxes. It’s about family history. It’s about the importance of a diary kept nearly a century ago. It’s about resourceful young people who eschew video games for old-fashion library research. I found lots of reasons to celebrate this book.
Andi Boggs and her sister, Bethany, have moved to Ohio. They are under the care of a lovable somewhat quirky aunt who teaches English at a local small university in town. They’re with her because their parents died in a plane crash.
Both girls have their issues with the parental loss and their new life. Fourteen-year-old Bethany says Andi can’t stay in the room they initially share. With her aunt’s permission, Andi determines to clear out an old attic and turn that into her bedroom. In the process of so doing, she discovers a Great Depression-era trunk that includes artifacts that once belonged to an infant or small child. The child’s name was Andora Boggs, which happens to be Andi’s name as well. And so, the mystery begins. Who was Andora Boggs? Why is her name so scandalous among older residents of the town?
With the help of a neighbor about her age, Andi digs into the history. Her tenacity enables her to uncover things about her family she almost wishes she didn’t know, and you can read this to find out what those things are. This is the perfect mystery for that young person in your world who doesn’t want to read about blood, guts, and gore but who enjoys a short, highly readable mystery where the main characters are people you’ll cheer for.
This checked all my personal boxes. It’s about family history. It’s about the importance of a diary kept nearly a century ago. It’s about resourceful young people who eschew video games for old-fashion library research. I found lots of reasons to celebrate this book.
Andi Boggs and her sister, Bethany, have moved to Ohio. They are under the care of a lovable somewhat quirky aunt who teaches English at a local small university in town. They’re with her because their parents died in a plane crash.
Both girls have their issues with the parental loss and their new life. Fourteen-year-old Bethany says Andi can’t stay in the room they initially share. With her aunt’s permission, Andi determines to clear out an old attic and turn that into her bedroom. In the process of so doing, she discovers a Great Depression-era trunk that includes artifacts that once belonged to an infant or small child. The child’s name was Andora Boggs, which happens to be Andi’s name as well. And so, the mystery begins. Who was Andora Boggs? Why is her name so scandalous among older residents of the town?
With the help of a neighbor about her age, Andi digs into the history. Her tenacity enables her to uncover things about her family she almost wishes she didn’t know, and you can read this to find out what those things are. This is the perfect mystery for that young person in your world who doesn’t want to read about blood, guts, and gore but who enjoys a short, highly readable mystery where the main characters are people you’ll cheer for.
July 1, 2017
I like this children's book because it has a mystery on it but not much anything thrilling. It was a light read and an OKAY book to past some time. It tackles about the mystery of a hidden chest in an attic with baby things in it. And the things inside the chest which was like a hundred years hidden have the same name as the main character, so this is where my interest strikes in reading and giving this book a GO!. One more thing I like about this book is that it involves the history of the owner of the hidden chest in the attic.
February 14, 2018
Good book for when my daughter is a year or two older. Nice mystery about the origin of a trunk labeled with the same name as the main character tied in with the historical context of the Great Depression era. I enjoyed Colin although I felt Andi should have had more of a reaction to him. Andi went along with his Sheldon-like eccentricities without missing a beat, but I felt like a truer character would have a harder time adapting to him.
Toward the end the plot got a little too much like a Scooby Doo episode.
Toward the end the plot got a little too much like a Scooby Doo episode.
June 19, 2018
Have you ever dreamed of finding something in your closet? Something valuable or linking to your past? In this book, the main character, Andi, finds a suitcase in a hidden door in her aunt's attic. The suitcase has her name on it but holds the belongings of a long dead relative that no one seems to know about. Andi wants to find out who the suitcase belongs to but for some reason so does a creepy university professor who works with her aunt. This is a realistic mystery that also has interesting historical facts about the great depression.
March 13, 2019
Genre: Mystery
Grade Level: 4th-8th grade
Unique Feature: This is a mystery book about two sibling, but the interesting part is that they are investigating a family member. This can capture the readers because they may have different questions about their family and may be able to relate to the characters in some way.
Grade Level: 4th-8th grade
Unique Feature: This is a mystery book about two sibling, but the interesting part is that they are investigating a family member. This can capture the readers because they may have different questions about their family and may be able to relate to the characters in some way.
July 5, 2022
It was a cute middle-school age read. Fun, quick read. I'll read the others in the series!
March 21, 2024
Even though this is likely a teen book, I loved it! It was a good page turner and I was shocked at the ending. A good, quick read for sure!
March 21, 2017
An okay kids mystery story about recently orphaned Andora Boggs researching her family history.
April 5, 2022
I enjoyed the novel. At first, I felt the excitement and was curious about what was about to happen. I was expecting something magical or extraordinary, but it just ended simply.
However, it is good in general! Children-friendly:)
However, it is good in general! Children-friendly:)
September 24, 2013
Andora "Andi" Boggs and her older sister Bethany have come to live with their Aunt after the death of their parents. Both girls are still going through the grieving process and Bethany is less than happy that she and Andi are sharing a room. When Andi finds out that her father's room used to be the attic she asks her Aunt if she can move up there. The neighbor boy, Colin, comes to help Andi clean out the attic. When they discover a hidden trunk with Andora's name on it they find themselves in the middle of a mystery that they both want to find answers to. Who was the first Andora? And why won't anyone talk about her?
My Review:
I am an absolute sucker for mysteries! From the time I started seriously reading on my own when I was 10, mysteries were my favorite genre. After having read The Appleseed Creek series by the same author I knew that I had to read Andi Unexpected and that I would not be disappointed. As a children's book Andi Unexpected was a quick read but not without great content. I found myself transported to childhood again as I followed Andi and Colin on their quest to find the answers to the original Andora. I would recommend this book to any 5th through 8th grader(even younger if they are mature readers and older if they don't mind reading about younger characters). Andi did find herself in a couple of tricky/dangerous situations that had me a little tense while reading, but that just added to the fun of the mystery. A great beginning to a new series by Amanda Flower!
A couple of scenes I liked in the book:
Andi's attire for church and Bethany's objection to it reminded me so much of my daughters. My youngest daughter would wear the exact same type outfit that Andi wore and my oldest daughter would comment pretty much the same way Bethany did. Made me laugh!
A scene I especially cracked up at was when Andi and Colin were talking to Miss Addy about the name Andora. Miss Addy commented,
"I miss names like Ruth or Mary or Rebecca. It's all Apple, Mango, and Pear these days. What, do people think they are making a fruit salad instead of naming a child?"
That had me laughing out loud as I am always on the lookout for those odd and unusual names that people tend to name their children nowadays. I share with a friend and we have a good laugh along with shaking of our heads in wonder. Miss Addy put it perfectly!
The Appleseed Creek Mysteries by Amanda Flower:
A Plain Death(not read yet)
A Plain Scandal
A Plain Disappearance
Amanda Flower has another series out, The India Hayes Mysteries, that I have not read yet.
My Review:
I am an absolute sucker for mysteries! From the time I started seriously reading on my own when I was 10, mysteries were my favorite genre. After having read The Appleseed Creek series by the same author I knew that I had to read Andi Unexpected and that I would not be disappointed. As a children's book Andi Unexpected was a quick read but not without great content. I found myself transported to childhood again as I followed Andi and Colin on their quest to find the answers to the original Andora. I would recommend this book to any 5th through 8th grader(even younger if they are mature readers and older if they don't mind reading about younger characters). Andi did find herself in a couple of tricky/dangerous situations that had me a little tense while reading, but that just added to the fun of the mystery. A great beginning to a new series by Amanda Flower!
A couple of scenes I liked in the book:
Andi's attire for church and Bethany's objection to it reminded me so much of my daughters. My youngest daughter would wear the exact same type outfit that Andi wore and my oldest daughter would comment pretty much the same way Bethany did. Made me laugh!
A scene I especially cracked up at was when Andi and Colin were talking to Miss Addy about the name Andora. Miss Addy commented,
"I miss names like Ruth or Mary or Rebecca. It's all Apple, Mango, and Pear these days. What, do people think they are making a fruit salad instead of naming a child?"
That had me laughing out loud as I am always on the lookout for those odd and unusual names that people tend to name their children nowadays. I share with a friend and we have a good laugh along with shaking of our heads in wonder. Miss Addy put it perfectly!
The Appleseed Creek Mysteries by Amanda Flower:
A Plain Death(not read yet)
A Plain Scandal
A Plain Disappearance
Amanda Flower has another series out, The India Hayes Mysteries, that I have not read yet.
September 30, 2013
Andi Boggs and her sister lost both parents in a plane crash, so the girls were moved to Killdeer, Ohio to live with their Aunt Amelie in the home that had been in their family for generations. Amelie's neighbor had a peculiar reaction upon discovering Andi's formal name is Andora, but she quickly covered up her reaction with an explanation about something she had eaten. Her grandson Colin is Andi's age, and the two curious youngsters discover they have a lot in common. Aunt Amelie had suggested that Andi could have the attic as her bedroom if she cleaned it out and prepared the contents for an upcoming garage sale. Colin agreed to help and they began the dusty chore, discovering a hidden door to a crawl space where a small trunk had been stored. Upon cleaning off the majority of grime Colin discovered a nameplate with "Andora" engraved on it. Upon questioning her Aunt Amelie about the trunk and its contents, Amelie explained that it appeared to be vintage to approximately World War II. With a mystery to solve Andi and Colin begin the quest to discover the identity of the original Andora and where she might be now. Colin provides a notebook and pencil and on the first page wrote "The Case of The First Andora." Underneath he added "Boggs and Carter Investigations."
The debut of a middle school level mystery series, this book screamed shades of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys! In-depth and steeped in originality this story kept me engrossed to the very end. Amanda Flower is a very adept artist in creating characters and settings with all of the detail and suspense of an adult focused mystery. Included in this story are all the elements of a future success mystery series for present and future middle school children. There is no predicting what follows in this fast-paced full-length novel. I think I'll leave Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys packed away. This "grandmother" enjoyed the action and adventure in this charming modern-day investigative chronicle for middle grade children. I'll be watching for more of Andi Boggs and her future activities! My grandchildren will be receiving copies of this series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Zonderkidz in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
The debut of a middle school level mystery series, this book screamed shades of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys! In-depth and steeped in originality this story kept me engrossed to the very end. Amanda Flower is a very adept artist in creating characters and settings with all of the detail and suspense of an adult focused mystery. Included in this story are all the elements of a future success mystery series for present and future middle school children. There is no predicting what follows in this fast-paced full-length novel. I think I'll leave Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys packed away. This "grandmother" enjoyed the action and adventure in this charming modern-day investigative chronicle for middle grade children. I'll be watching for more of Andi Boggs and her future activities! My grandchildren will be receiving copies of this series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Zonderkidz in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
June 11, 2016
Title: Andi Unexpected -Andi Boggs Book 1
Author: Amanda Flower
Published: 9-24-2-13
Publisher: Zonderkidz-Books
Pages: 224
Genre: Children's Fiction
Sub Genre: Mstery, Christian; Homeschooling
ISBN: 9780310737018
ASIN: B00BW3K0YA
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 5 Stars
.
Andi Boggs, a science aficionado and her sister Bethany, an artist have come to live with their Aunt Amelie in their ancestral home in Killdeer, Ohio following the deaths of their parents death in a plane crash in Central America.. When her Aunt Amelie tells Andi she is welcome to put her bedroom if she will clean it out and prepare the contents for an upcoming garage sale. Their neighbor reacts a bit odd when Andi explains her name is short for Andora, but quickly brushes it off. Andi meets the woman's grandsonson Colin. The two quickly becomes friends and Colin agrees to help Andi with the. While working they discover an old trunk in a crawl space and are curious when the find the name Andora on it. Inside are baby items and memorabilia from the 1930's. When Aunt cannot tell them anything about the first Andorra. Andi and Colin set about finding information about the other Andora and what became of her. Their search leads them to unexpected places and answers.
A wonderful, clean series for young readers from 8-12 years of age. With similarities to a young Nancy Drew, Andi is a great role model for young readers. There is true emotions and believable interactions between the siblings. You will find yourself being pulled into the story and following the clues Andi and Colin uncover. A new and exciting series for Amanda Flower to be enjoyed by the young and the young at heart. This story moves at a fairly quick pace and with a descriptive prose. My rating is a 5 out of 5 stars. With the hope that you will love Andi Unexpected as much as I did.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BW3K0YA/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/andi-...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Amanda Flower
Published: 9-24-2-13
Publisher: Zonderkidz-Books
Pages: 224
Genre: Children's Fiction
Sub Genre: Mstery, Christian; Homeschooling
ISBN: 9780310737018
ASIN: B00BW3K0YA
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 5 Stars
.
Andi Boggs, a science aficionado and her sister Bethany, an artist have come to live with their Aunt Amelie in their ancestral home in Killdeer, Ohio following the deaths of their parents death in a plane crash in Central America.. When her Aunt Amelie tells Andi she is welcome to put her bedroom if she will clean it out and prepare the contents for an upcoming garage sale. Their neighbor reacts a bit odd when Andi explains her name is short for Andora, but quickly brushes it off. Andi meets the woman's grandsonson Colin. The two quickly becomes friends and Colin agrees to help Andi with the. While working they discover an old trunk in a crawl space and are curious when the find the name Andora on it. Inside are baby items and memorabilia from the 1930's. When Aunt cannot tell them anything about the first Andorra. Andi and Colin set about finding information about the other Andora and what became of her. Their search leads them to unexpected places and answers.
A wonderful, clean series for young readers from 8-12 years of age. With similarities to a young Nancy Drew, Andi is a great role model for young readers. There is true emotions and believable interactions between the siblings. You will find yourself being pulled into the story and following the clues Andi and Colin uncover. A new and exciting series for Amanda Flower to be enjoyed by the young and the young at heart. This story moves at a fairly quick pace and with a descriptive prose. My rating is a 5 out of 5 stars. With the hope that you will love Andi Unexpected as much as I did.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BW3K0YA/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/andi-...
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
October 3, 2013
“Andi Unexpected” is targeted toward middle school and higher readers. It is one of the best books I have read in quite some time. It is quick paced and I read it in one day. Amanda Flower has written a wonderful story of mystery, friendship, and how people deal with grief differently.
Andi and her sister have to move in with their aunt Amelie because their parents have died while on a science mission in the jungles of Central America. The house where their aunt now lives used to belong to Andi’s grandparents. Initially, Andi and her sister Bethany have to share a bedroom, but the two sisters fight quite a bit since the death of their parents, and so Aunt Amelie suggests to both Andi and Bethany that if they will clean out the attic, then Andi can turn it into a bedroom. The stuff they move out the attic can be sorted and set up for the annual Killdeer yard sale and whatever money the schools earn, they can keep. Well, both girls want their own rooms and Bethany is interested in the money because Aunt Amelie has told her that if she wants to keep “texting” on her cell phone, then she’ll have to earn the money to keep that feature. Andi doesn’t necessarily care about the money. She just wants her own room.
This simple task of cleaning out the attic turns into a wonderful adventure for both Andi and Bethany. Through the guidance of their Aunt Amelie, they also are able to move forward and work through some of the grief of the loss of their parents. They meet some very interesting people along the way and develop friendships that will help them in their adjustment to life in Killdeer. Andi and Bethany also see how the other one is actually broken over the death of their parents, but it’s okay to deal with their loss in different ways. It doesn’t mean the other person is deeply saddened just because they may or may not show the type of emotion the other thinks they should.
This is a great book and well, well worth the read. I look forward to other books in this series!!
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary review copy was provided to facilitate this review. Copies may be acquired at your favorite book supplier. for author information - click here.
Andi and her sister have to move in with their aunt Amelie because their parents have died while on a science mission in the jungles of Central America. The house where their aunt now lives used to belong to Andi’s grandparents. Initially, Andi and her sister Bethany have to share a bedroom, but the two sisters fight quite a bit since the death of their parents, and so Aunt Amelie suggests to both Andi and Bethany that if they will clean out the attic, then Andi can turn it into a bedroom. The stuff they move out the attic can be sorted and set up for the annual Killdeer yard sale and whatever money the schools earn, they can keep. Well, both girls want their own rooms and Bethany is interested in the money because Aunt Amelie has told her that if she wants to keep “texting” on her cell phone, then she’ll have to earn the money to keep that feature. Andi doesn’t necessarily care about the money. She just wants her own room.
This simple task of cleaning out the attic turns into a wonderful adventure for both Andi and Bethany. Through the guidance of their Aunt Amelie, they also are able to move forward and work through some of the grief of the loss of their parents. They meet some very interesting people along the way and develop friendships that will help them in their adjustment to life in Killdeer. Andi and Bethany also see how the other one is actually broken over the death of their parents, but it’s okay to deal with their loss in different ways. It doesn’t mean the other person is deeply saddened just because they may or may not show the type of emotion the other thinks they should.
This is a great book and well, well worth the read. I look forward to other books in this series!!
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary review copy was provided to facilitate this review. Copies may be acquired at your favorite book supplier. for author information - click here.
January 8, 2014
Amanda Flower brings us a great new character set to star in a series. Andi Boggs appears in her first Andi Boggs novel, ‘Andi Unexpected’.
Andora ‘Andi’ Boggs & her sister, Bethany, have become orphans after their parents’ plane crash. Sent to live with flighty Aunt Amelie, the girls are uprooted from everything they’ve known. Bethany is angry at the world & immerses herself in art. On the other hand, Andi looks for a distraction. Once Amelie allows her to redo the attic into her own room, Andi dives in to the project.
Accompanied by new neighbor Colin, she makes a startling discovery in the attic. Hidden in a cubbyhole, Colin & Andi come across evidence of a child that has an unusual name. Unbeknownst to them, there was another Andora in the Boggs family. They’ve never heard of her & they smell a mystery.
Embracing this new distraction, they dive headfirst into the Andora mystery. But as clues begin to develop, they soon realize that there’s much more to this than they thought. Can they solve this puzzle while Andi comes to grips with her new life?
Technically, Amanda Flower has penned a YA novel. Honestly, the book is ageless. I loved it. After the first page, I no longer looked at it as a YA book. Andi & Bethany’s orphan status is dealt with in a realistic way & with grace. It’s not glossed over, but talked about in much the same way you’d expect a ‘real’ child to handle it.
I appreciated that our main characters searched for clues within the confines of law & when they overstepped, our author was quick to point out the consequences they faced. It’s absolutely clean & the fact that Andi & Colin are platonic friends is fantastic. Our authors may have put in a bit of romance. I’m thrilled that Amanda Flower was able to stand on her own merit & leave it out. Great writers don’t need to stoop to these measures.
I’m looking forward to more from Andi & Amanda Flower. If you have kiddos that like Nancy Drew or even Scooby Doo, introduce them to Andi. Don’t rule it out as YA either. You don’t want to miss this one!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
Andora ‘Andi’ Boggs & her sister, Bethany, have become orphans after their parents’ plane crash. Sent to live with flighty Aunt Amelie, the girls are uprooted from everything they’ve known. Bethany is angry at the world & immerses herself in art. On the other hand, Andi looks for a distraction. Once Amelie allows her to redo the attic into her own room, Andi dives in to the project.
Accompanied by new neighbor Colin, she makes a startling discovery in the attic. Hidden in a cubbyhole, Colin & Andi come across evidence of a child that has an unusual name. Unbeknownst to them, there was another Andora in the Boggs family. They’ve never heard of her & they smell a mystery.
Embracing this new distraction, they dive headfirst into the Andora mystery. But as clues begin to develop, they soon realize that there’s much more to this than they thought. Can they solve this puzzle while Andi comes to grips with her new life?
Technically, Amanda Flower has penned a YA novel. Honestly, the book is ageless. I loved it. After the first page, I no longer looked at it as a YA book. Andi & Bethany’s orphan status is dealt with in a realistic way & with grace. It’s not glossed over, but talked about in much the same way you’d expect a ‘real’ child to handle it.
I appreciated that our main characters searched for clues within the confines of law & when they overstepped, our author was quick to point out the consequences they faced. It’s absolutely clean & the fact that Andi & Colin are platonic friends is fantastic. Our authors may have put in a bit of romance. I’m thrilled that Amanda Flower was able to stand on her own merit & leave it out. Great writers don’t need to stoop to these measures.
I’m looking forward to more from Andi & Amanda Flower. If you have kiddos that like Nancy Drew or even Scooby Doo, introduce them to Andi. Don’t rule it out as YA either. You don’t want to miss this one!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
August 30, 2013
Andi Unexpected lived up to it's name, in a good way. I was expecting a fun kids adventure, but I got so much more. Andora "Andi" Boggs is a girl who has had her whole life turned upside down. She has lost her parents and her home. Everything that a child thrives on is gone. She and her older sister Bethany and relocated to Killdeer, Ohio, to their grandparents old house, that their aunt now lives in. Her sister is on the war path and Andi seems to always be in her sight for attack. Andi meets an unexpected friend, Colin, shortly after arriving. With his help, her adventures begin.
Andi and Colin are what you would consider the geeky kids, and I'm not knocking that because I myself am one and proudly proclaim it. Andi has such a passion for science. She took after her parents in that way. Colin is the kid that loves history and with Colin around offering up his knowledge, Andi soon starts expanding her reading into history. Andi also does her best to learn about her sister, knowing that her anger comes from losing their parents, and tries to giver her space and time to heal.
Amanda Flower presented a kids mystery that was fun to follow with an interesting insight into the Great Depression. She was able to make history come alive and kept the pages turning and my mind guessing where we were going to go next.
I will say, I would recommend this book to kids 12 and older. There are some heavy subjects presented, but not in a hard or harsh way. Andi and her sister have lost their parents so, there is talk about them being orphans. There is also talk about the financial issues in the Great Depression and the strain that it caused. Then how the financial problems affected families and the kids and the work that was required of them and the sacrifices that were made.
Thank you to Zonderkidz and DJC Communications, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion.
Andi and Colin are what you would consider the geeky kids, and I'm not knocking that because I myself am one and proudly proclaim it. Andi has such a passion for science. She took after her parents in that way. Colin is the kid that loves history and with Colin around offering up his knowledge, Andi soon starts expanding her reading into history. Andi also does her best to learn about her sister, knowing that her anger comes from losing their parents, and tries to giver her space and time to heal.
Amanda Flower presented a kids mystery that was fun to follow with an interesting insight into the Great Depression. She was able to make history come alive and kept the pages turning and my mind guessing where we were going to go next.
I will say, I would recommend this book to kids 12 and older. There are some heavy subjects presented, but not in a hard or harsh way. Andi and her sister have lost their parents so, there is talk about them being orphans. There is also talk about the financial issues in the Great Depression and the strain that it caused. Then how the financial problems affected families and the kids and the work that was required of them and the sacrifices that were made.
Thank you to Zonderkidz and DJC Communications, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion.
July 6, 2017
"Andora's mystery helped me gain a sense of control over my life - something I hadn't felt since my parents died."
After the death of their parents, Andora (Andi) and Bethany go to live with their Aunt Amelie. Andi can't help but notice the strange reaction from people when she tells them her name is Andora. She finds out that there was another Andora who lived in the town, but no one seems to want to talk about her. There's "something about this Andora that the town wants to hide." To deepen the mystery, Andi finds a little blue trunk behind a hidden door in the attic containing a nameplate with the name Andora engraved on it. Did Andora live in this house at one time?
With next door neighbor Colin helping, Andi begins to search for the truth about Andora. Who was she? Why won't anyone talk about her? Did something sinister happen to her? They visit the historical society in the old Bottling Museum and, with the help of Mr. Finnigan, the archivist, begin to look for primary source documents that might help uncover the mystery. Shortly after that, the ill-tempered Dr. Girard shows up wanting to know what information Andi has discovered. There's something about him that Andi doesn't trust. Why is he so interested in all this? What business is it to him? Isn't he being just a little overly dramatic? "Don't stand in my way," he warned. "There's a big story here, and I will get to the bottom of it with or without your help."
A good mystery for fans of the genre. The supporting characters add interesting texture to the novel: older sister Bethany who is struggling with the move to this small town and seems angry at Andi all the time; Aunt Amelie, the aunt everyone calls eccentric because of how she has chosen to live her life; Colin, highly intelligent, living with his grandmother Bergita because his parents are doctors who are never home and finally, Miss Addy, whose journal might just hold the key to unlocking the mystery of Andora.
After the death of their parents, Andora (Andi) and Bethany go to live with their Aunt Amelie. Andi can't help but notice the strange reaction from people when she tells them her name is Andora. She finds out that there was another Andora who lived in the town, but no one seems to want to talk about her. There's "something about this Andora that the town wants to hide." To deepen the mystery, Andi finds a little blue trunk behind a hidden door in the attic containing a nameplate with the name Andora engraved on it. Did Andora live in this house at one time?
With next door neighbor Colin helping, Andi begins to search for the truth about Andora. Who was she? Why won't anyone talk about her? Did something sinister happen to her? They visit the historical society in the old Bottling Museum and, with the help of Mr. Finnigan, the archivist, begin to look for primary source documents that might help uncover the mystery. Shortly after that, the ill-tempered Dr. Girard shows up wanting to know what information Andi has discovered. There's something about him that Andi doesn't trust. Why is he so interested in all this? What business is it to him? Isn't he being just a little overly dramatic? "Don't stand in my way," he warned. "There's a big story here, and I will get to the bottom of it with or without your help."
A good mystery for fans of the genre. The supporting characters add interesting texture to the novel: older sister Bethany who is struggling with the move to this small town and seems angry at Andi all the time; Aunt Amelie, the aunt everyone calls eccentric because of how she has chosen to live her life; Colin, highly intelligent, living with his grandmother Bergita because his parents are doctors who are never home and finally, Miss Addy, whose journal might just hold the key to unlocking the mystery of Andora.
January 16, 2016
REVIEW:
This story is a good mystery for the young and the young at heart. The mystery of the story will keep anyone intrigued and interested enough to keep reading.The parents of Andora "Andi" Boggs and sister Bethany have died in a plane crash.
Their Aunt Amelie takes them in. Normal sister spats start. Bethany doesn't want to be in the same space as Andi and she is livid that her texting has been cut down. Andi goes about finding something to do in this new place. She does and what she finds is a trunk in the attic that was mysteriously hidden in a wall. Low and behold she discovers that someone else named Andora Boggs lived in the same town during the Depression. Andi gets her neighbor friend, Colin and they start investigating this other person named Andora Boggs.
They do quite a good job of it too.It appears there is some kind of connection between two families. What could it be? Every mystery must have a villain and it was Dr. Girard. You just couldn't help but dislike him. The author did a wonderful job of creating the characters. They were easy to relate to. The book was part history lesson and part mystery. It kept you guessing to the end. I think this short story is great for anyone. You don't have to be a middle schooler to love these kind of books. I definitely think this book should be read by or to any youngster. Andi is someone that they could possibly relate to and the book will encourage them to get out that spy glass and become detectives. Wonderful book.
I would give this book 4 STARS.
I received a complimentary copy of ANDI UNEXPECTED from the publisher, Zonderkidz on behalf of the author, Amanda Flower for this honest review.
This story is a good mystery for the young and the young at heart. The mystery of the story will keep anyone intrigued and interested enough to keep reading.The parents of Andora "Andi" Boggs and sister Bethany have died in a plane crash.
Their Aunt Amelie takes them in. Normal sister spats start. Bethany doesn't want to be in the same space as Andi and she is livid that her texting has been cut down. Andi goes about finding something to do in this new place. She does and what she finds is a trunk in the attic that was mysteriously hidden in a wall. Low and behold she discovers that someone else named Andora Boggs lived in the same town during the Depression. Andi gets her neighbor friend, Colin and they start investigating this other person named Andora Boggs.
They do quite a good job of it too.It appears there is some kind of connection between two families. What could it be? Every mystery must have a villain and it was Dr. Girard. You just couldn't help but dislike him. The author did a wonderful job of creating the characters. They were easy to relate to. The book was part history lesson and part mystery. It kept you guessing to the end. I think this short story is great for anyone. You don't have to be a middle schooler to love these kind of books. I definitely think this book should be read by or to any youngster. Andi is someone that they could possibly relate to and the book will encourage them to get out that spy glass and become detectives. Wonderful book.
I would give this book 4 STARS.
I received a complimentary copy of ANDI UNEXPECTED from the publisher, Zonderkidz on behalf of the author, Amanda Flower for this honest review.
October 27, 2013
Andi has recently lost her busy and vital scientist parents. She and her older sister Bethany suddenly find themselves living with their eccentric aunt after some time spent with a well-meaning neighbor who stifles them both. Andi is glad to be living with comfortable Aunt Amelie, who’s always been a favorite relative. Of course Andi misses Mom and Dad; she’s quietly hurting inside. She’s pretty sure that Bethany was always their favorite; she had so wanted to impress both of them with her own deep love of science. She had so wanted to be just like them. But they never had time for her, and Bethany’s art was just so - noticeable.
Andi almost immediately finds a new friend in the neighbor boy Colin, and finds, too, a mystery, about another Andora with the same name as hers. Because that is her real name: Andora Boggs. Andi is confused; why won’t anyone talk about that other Andora, except mean Dr. Girard, who is in such a hurry to put her in a book?
Andi begins to dig into the history of her family and finds some surprises which could put her in real danger. One could wish that through that danger, Andi weren’t quite so impulsive, and yet her drive to know the answers to her questions gives her a real place in the world, and the reader can clearly see that.
I really enjoyed the straightforwardness of the story in its telling, exploring family and relationships, as well as grief - it’s accessible to a wide range of students. Yet the mystery is baffling enough, and the reader is kept guessing until almost the very end, which makes for a very satisfying read. I look forward to sharing Andi and her adventures with my middle grade students who crave a good mystery.
Andi almost immediately finds a new friend in the neighbor boy Colin, and finds, too, a mystery, about another Andora with the same name as hers. Because that is her real name: Andora Boggs. Andi is confused; why won’t anyone talk about that other Andora, except mean Dr. Girard, who is in such a hurry to put her in a book?
Andi begins to dig into the history of her family and finds some surprises which could put her in real danger. One could wish that through that danger, Andi weren’t quite so impulsive, and yet her drive to know the answers to her questions gives her a real place in the world, and the reader can clearly see that.
I really enjoyed the straightforwardness of the story in its telling, exploring family and relationships, as well as grief - it’s accessible to a wide range of students. Yet the mystery is baffling enough, and the reader is kept guessing until almost the very end, which makes for a very satisfying read. I look forward to sharing Andi and her adventures with my middle grade students who crave a good mystery.
August 8, 2013
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.
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.
August 12, 2013
Andora “Andi” Boggs and her sister Bethany have suffered a tragedy. Both of their parents died in a plane crash and they’re sent to live with their Aunt Amelie. Bethany cops an attitude since her cell phone texts have been limited and she doesn’t want to share a space with Andi. In this new environment, Andi finds something to occupy her time. She discovers something mysterious that’s a link to the past.
The mysterious thing is a trunk hidden in the attic wall that provides proof that another Andora Boggs lived in the town during the Depression era. Andi and her neighbor, Colin, dig for information about this Andora. There are things that archival material did not report regarding her death. There’s a professor by the name of Dr. Girard who can help them, but he’s too sneaky and overeager to learn what the young Andora has found out about the old Andora. A big secret involving two families is behind the mystery.
I loved the characters in this novel. Andi and Colin made an awesome team of investigators, Bethany had her moments and one could see why, most of the adults were kind and well-rounded, and Dr. Girard was a villain I truly despised. My only criticism is that there could have been more urgency regarding the mystery aspect in the first two thirds of the novel. It didn’t seem big enough until the last third. I received the ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
The mysterious thing is a trunk hidden in the attic wall that provides proof that another Andora Boggs lived in the town during the Depression era. Andi and her neighbor, Colin, dig for information about this Andora. There are things that archival material did not report regarding her death. There’s a professor by the name of Dr. Girard who can help them, but he’s too sneaky and overeager to learn what the young Andora has found out about the old Andora. A big secret involving two families is behind the mystery.
I loved the characters in this novel. Andi and Colin made an awesome team of investigators, Bethany had her moments and one could see why, most of the adults were kind and well-rounded, and Dr. Girard was a villain I truly despised. My only criticism is that there could have been more urgency regarding the mystery aspect in the first two thirds of the novel. It didn’t seem big enough until the last third. I received the ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
November 4, 2013
I enjoyed this mystery. While normally I find it hard to believe that something is going to be found in an attic, this is an attic that has been used for a bedroom and obviously used before - the only fault I found was pulling down the steps to gain access - doesn't seem like the safest way for everyone in the house (nitpicking).
Andi and Bethany (her older sister) lose their parents and come to stay with their aunt in Ohio and they cannot stand sharing a room together. So her aunt tells Andi if she can clean the attic and sell the stuff (Bethany included) that can be her bedroom, just as it was her father's.
Andi and her new friend Colin discover a secret hiding place and a chest that includes stuff from around 1930. To help fight her grief of losing her parents, Andi and Colin begin to try and find the secret of why the trunk and its contents were hidden and at the same time clean out the attic.
Only other people have ideas about what was in that trunk and while on one hand no one wants to talk about what Andi and Colin found, someone else wants to steal it from them. What could be so important about what is in this trunk.
Between finding the answer to the secret and getting her new bedroom, I think both boys and girls will find this an exciting mystery to read. Even though the main character is a girl, Colin is right beside her most of the time trying to solve the problems and he knows where to go in town.
Andi and Bethany (her older sister) lose their parents and come to stay with their aunt in Ohio and they cannot stand sharing a room together. So her aunt tells Andi if she can clean the attic and sell the stuff (Bethany included) that can be her bedroom, just as it was her father's.
Andi and her new friend Colin discover a secret hiding place and a chest that includes stuff from around 1930. To help fight her grief of losing her parents, Andi and Colin begin to try and find the secret of why the trunk and its contents were hidden and at the same time clean out the attic.
Only other people have ideas about what was in that trunk and while on one hand no one wants to talk about what Andi and Colin found, someone else wants to steal it from them. What could be so important about what is in this trunk.
Between finding the answer to the secret and getting her new bedroom, I think both boys and girls will find this an exciting mystery to read. Even though the main character is a girl, Colin is right beside her most of the time trying to solve the problems and he knows where to go in town.
July 28, 2014
Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R22X93QJ...
Review on my blog (to be posted 8/11): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
Andi Unexpected was a fun, easy read - one I think young readers will love! I loved the whole mystery aspect of who was the other Andora Boggs and why do some people freak out when they hear her name.
I liked the characters - they were fun! Things Bethany said seemed so typical for a teenage girl. The story had a Nancy Drew feel to it - which I enjoyed, since I loved those books when I was a kid. ;)
All in all, a great read geared for young readers, but adults can also enjoy it. I recommend it.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Review on my blog (to be posted 8/11): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
Andi Unexpected was a fun, easy read - one I think young readers will love! I loved the whole mystery aspect of who was the other Andora Boggs and why do some people freak out when they hear her name.
I liked the characters - they were fun! Things Bethany said seemed so typical for a teenage girl. The story had a Nancy Drew feel to it - which I enjoyed, since I loved those books when I was a kid. ;)
All in all, a great read geared for young readers, but adults can also enjoy it. I recommend it.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
September 29, 2013
Andi and her sister Bethany have to move in with their aunt Amelia after their parents die in a plane crash. The grieving sisters are forced to leave their home and friends and everything they know. Aunt Amelia lives in the home she grew up in in rural Ohio. Andi and Bethany are forced to share a room until Andi starts cleaning out the attic. She discovers a mysterious trunk with things that belonged to another Andora Boggs. Andi and her friend Colin start investigating Andora to discover why her things were hidden away and why no one will talk about her. They are not they only ones looking into the Andora story. There is a history professor from the local college who is also interested.
What could be better than the mystery of a depression era baby who goes missing? I liked how the book was structured as Andi and Colin built their case. They were true investigators and I can see this book becoming a series. I really liked how Andi and Bethany were shown grieving differently. I do think Bethany's grief was a little more obvious than Andi's. She quickly became immersed in the Andora mystery and didn't seem to think about her parents as much. I wish Amelia's character was a little more fleshed out as she seemed barely there. But overall, I really liked this book and its mystery.
I received an advanced copy of this book from both Netgalley and ALA 2013.
What could be better than the mystery of a depression era baby who goes missing? I liked how the book was structured as Andi and Colin built their case. They were true investigators and I can see this book becoming a series. I really liked how Andi and Bethany were shown grieving differently. I do think Bethany's grief was a little more obvious than Andi's. She quickly became immersed in the Andora mystery and didn't seem to think about her parents as much. I wish Amelia's character was a little more fleshed out as she seemed barely there. But overall, I really liked this book and its mystery.
I received an advanced copy of this book from both Netgalley and ALA 2013.
September 4, 2014
Andi Unexpected, written by Amanda Flower, is the first in a new middle-grade mystery series. In Andi Unexpected, twelve-year-old Andi Boggs, discovers evidence of her forgotten namesake, a missing relative, which leads her into a family mystery rooted in the Great Depression. 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.
While reading this book with my 10 year old daughter, the story was a good read that was easy to get into and enjoyable by the age group that it was directed for. The suspense level was right on spot for the target audience. My daughter liked this book so much that she is looking forward and wanting ot find out what happens in the next in the series. There was a definite two thumbs up in this household. Andi Unexpected was a big hit with the author being an amazing writer who keeps the interest of all who are reading the story.
While reading this book with my 10 year old daughter, the story was a good read that was easy to get into and enjoyable by the age group that it was directed for. The suspense level was right on spot for the target audience. My daughter liked this book so much that she is looking forward and wanting ot find out what happens in the next in the series. There was a definite two thumbs up in this household. Andi Unexpected was a big hit with the author being an amazing writer who keeps the interest of all who are reading the story.
November 5, 2013
FLOWER, Amanda. Andi Unexpected. 218p. ZonderKids. September 2013. ISBN:978-0-310-73701-8. $10.99. F.
Gr 4-6
12 yo science loving, Andora ‘Andi’ Boggs and her artistic older sister Bethany are still reeling from the death of their parents in a terrible plane crash. They are sent to live with their aunt in rural Ohio in the family’s ancestral, albeit small, home. When Andi finds a mysterious antique box full of a baby’s memorabilia in the attic with her own name on it, she and her new friend Colin are determined to find out who the baby Andora was and what happened to her. As they look for clues in the town’s old museum Andi discovers that she is not the only one on the case. People in town just may be covering up the real story, but are their reasons sentimental or are they sinister? Action packed with appealing characters and great plot twists, Flower has developed a solid new mystery series for grade schoolers. Andi is sure to please kids with her earnest likeability and determined constitution. Recommended to fans of Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor.
-Terry Ann Lawler - Phoenix Public Library, AZ.
Gr 4-6
12 yo science loving, Andora ‘Andi’ Boggs and her artistic older sister Bethany are still reeling from the death of their parents in a terrible plane crash. They are sent to live with their aunt in rural Ohio in the family’s ancestral, albeit small, home. When Andi finds a mysterious antique box full of a baby’s memorabilia in the attic with her own name on it, she and her new friend Colin are determined to find out who the baby Andora was and what happened to her. As they look for clues in the town’s old museum Andi discovers that she is not the only one on the case. People in town just may be covering up the real story, but are their reasons sentimental or are they sinister? Action packed with appealing characters and great plot twists, Flower has developed a solid new mystery series for grade schoolers. Andi is sure to please kids with her earnest likeability and determined constitution. Recommended to fans of Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor.
-Terry Ann Lawler - Phoenix Public Library, AZ.
November 24, 2013
Andi Boggs and her sister, Bethany, go to live with their young, eccentric aunt after the loss of their parents. What follows turns out to be a mystery about another lost family member with the same name as Andi (Andora), from the past, whom no one seems to know about, or wants to talk about. With the help of neighbor, and her new friend, Colin, the two youths are off on a “seek and find” adventure after finding a trunk from the Depression-era hidden in the wall of the attic in Andi’s new home.
This was a fun read for me. I enjoyed the characters, and the story line. It’s not a complicated read; thus being well suited for the teen reader. The story lightly touches on the sisters’ differences, and how they are dealing with the changes going on in their lives, following the loss of their parents.
What I enjoyed most about the story was when Andi and Colin learn about the Great Depression, and how it affected families. A little lesson for the youths of today, perhaps? This is just one part of the story hidden in this young detective story. A good read.
I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest opinion.
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