102 Days of Lying About Lauren

by Maura Jortner

After being abandoned by her mother in a most unusual place, a defiant heroine sticks to her plan for staying hidden—even though getting caught could mean saving her life.

Twelve-year-old Mouse calls an amusement park home.

Nobody notices her, and that's the way she likes it. Mouse sweeps the streets and wears a uniform she “borrowed” and sleeps on the top floor of the Haunted House of Horrors. She knows which security guards to avoid, eats the bagel left out each morning for the Ghost of Summer (a popular theme park legend), and even has the taco guy convinced that her lunch is paid for. She has her special hiding methods down to a science. 

But one morning, a girl named Cat comes looking for Lauren Suszek. Cat notices her, and Mouse doesn’t like it. Mouse cannot let this nosy pest find out who she really is! If Mouse gets discovered living in the park, Mama might come back for her, and Mouse doesn’t want that. Or—even worse?—Mama might not come back at all. 

Mouse knows she can lose this girl without blowing her cover. She just has to follow her rules. A carefully constructed life in the park is all she needs. Right? 

Anchored by memorable characters and an extraordinary setting, Maura Jortner’s brilliant debut novel is bursting with grit, humor, and heart.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Family

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2023

About the author

Maura Jortner grew up in NH but now lives in TX with her family and Shiloh, her cat, who can do tricks.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is a book I read in one sitting, because I could not put it down.
I always find amazement in books about homeless people. Because, to remain under the radar and not be detected, but at the same time skillfully find ways to survive, you have to stay at the very top of your game…

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year-old Mouse has been working at an amusement park as a sweeper since her mother abandoned her as a means of blending in and avoiding social services. Being tall, she looks older than she is and avoids suspicion. She becomes friends with Tyler, another teen and son of the amusement park owner. She even manages to find a place within the park to hide and stay at night. Somehow she manages to score a bagel, a giant quesadilla and a Diet Coke each day for food. With food, shelter and a means of blending, how long can she keep the act up before she is discovered? What happens when someone from her past who Mouse does not remember thinks she recognizes her?
About halfway through this turns into a survival story as Mouse, Tyler and the girl who thinks she knows Mouse find themselves in the middle of major weather (the story is set in Florida) when they don't make it to the evacuation shelter after storm warnings and a directive to head to shelter. Will the three all get out of the park alive? What happens when one of the three would rather die than live?
What starts out as a mystery I would give children about who Mouse really is and who the girl is who recognizes Lauren and/or a friendship story about Mouse and Tyler turns into more of a tween/young teen read as the story moves into the survival part and we learn more about Tyler's past. There are mentions of teen drinking and partying. I loved both parts and think younger me would have loved it too.😀 Give it to mystery fans, fans of realistic fiction or those who can't get enough adventure/survival stories.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not exactly a middle grade “survival” book like Megan Freeman’s Alone or the classic Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Jortner’s work does focus on a young person just trying to survive. Other readers will make a direct comparison to the older classic From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler and for good reason. At the tender age of 12, Lauren has survived in an amusement for 102 days after being abandoned by her mom. The best parts of this novel are the creative ways that Lauren, aka Mouse, develops for blending in with those at the park, finds food, keeps clean and remains undetected after hours. When a tornado rips through the park, the relationship that Mouse has developed with a 16 yr old park employee becomes critical to the survival of both and the two of them are forced to examine their individual heartaches and the emotional trauma experienced by both of them. Of course this is an unrealistic work of fiction, but so was My Side of the Mountain by Jean C. George and that didn’t stop any of us from loving Sam’s story and readers will feel the same way about 102 Days of Lying About Lauren. Race is not a component of this novel, but it is likely that the main characters will be perceived as white (esp. given the cover of the arc), however, a security guard who becomes a key player in the conclusion may be from an AAPI background, Lauren’s cousin Cat has a physical disability and the make up of families represent traditional two parent homes as well as those with only one parent. Anxiety and panic attacks are also included. Text is free of profanity, although the author does include references to Cat letting strings of curse words out during the storm but these words are not specified. The only violence included in the story is that of the tornado and there is no sexual content. Recommended for libraries with high readership in survival books such as those listed in this review as well as those who enjoy books with family drama at the heart.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are kids going to enjoy this book? Maybe. Is it a well-written, award-deserving book? I am going to argue no.
First, you really have to let many plot points go and not get too caught up in the details. For example, could a 12-year-old pass as 16? Absolutely! But Mouse acts like a kid. She doesn't even sound like a 12-year-old. She definitely would not have been able to work 102 days without a shower and being able to wash her clothes. Someone would notice her and say something.
Also, why would Narlo not let someone know that there is a kid working every day at the park? And then he just randomly offers her to live with his family?? It's weird and out of nowhere.
Tanner's whole storyline was too much. It could have worked without the whole ghost nonsense. Also, he's at least 16. His friendship with Mouse is weird because clearly from the way she is written, she's a kid. There's no way he wouldn't realize that she is a kid. And it doesn't make sense that she would be friends with him, because she is trying to go undetected.
When the tornado came into play, it was too much for me. It has that Gary D. Schmidt vibe of taking a good storyline, but ruining it by trying to make the situation not as bad as it is and the main character not being given the chance to be truly upset about the situation they are in. It makes the whole book silly because it just isn't real.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely give middle grade books 2 stars because I don't think it's very fair but I just did not like this. I wanted to read this because I thought the premise of having a mom intentionally abandon her daughter at a theme park was interesting but I thought the writing was clunky and the POV read more like a J Independent book at times. Small spoiler but I also very much question the ethics of being an adult employee at the amusement park and knowing that this child was abandoned and just...letting her live in that park without calling child protective services. My last critique is definitely not that important but it's important to ME. I could already tell through reading that this was supposed to be Disney World and the author's note confirmed it. It was very distracting to me because there were some things that were accurate but a lot of stuff where I was like "lol this would literally never happen at Disney World" and maybe it's because I was a Disney parks CM and I'm being too picky about it but I think it would have been less distracting if they had made it not based on anything or taken out some of the more obvious references (like the extra park magic bit where I was like ok you might as well just say this is Disney World????)

[Sue Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 8-12 year old read.but kept this adult fully entertained. Amelia loved it (age 11).

[claire [BRAT version] · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious book about friendship trust and family. LOVED IT!

[Jamie Steinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

102 Days of Lying About Lauren introduces us to “Mouse,” a twelve-year-old girl who lives in an amusement park. That’s right, she lives in an amusement park. Where would you go if your mother abandoned you there and you had no one else to turn to? Thankfully, Mouse has made a friend there, so she is not completely alone. But what happens when someone arrives at the park that could ruin the life that Mouse has made for herself? You’ll have to keep turning pages on this deeply heartbreaking and heartwarming tale.

Lauren Suszek is dead. At least that’s what Mouse would say if you asked her. She lost the life she knew when her mother abandoned her at an amusement park. Now exists a twelve-year-old pretending to be a sixteen-year-old who “works” at the park (she sweeps here and there so it looks like she’s a part of the staff) and sleeps in the Haunted House of Horrors with her sole companion Pretty Dolly (self-explanatory). That is until she befriends fellow employee Tanner – whose father just happens to be an executive working for the park. It’s been 102 days since Mouse has made the park her home and her ability to go undetected as a resident gets upended when someone identifies her by her given name – Lauren Suszek. Not wanting to be taken in by social services, Mouse does her best to dodge her accuser until a looming tornado closes down the park and sends guests running for shelter. Stuck in the place she calls home with Tanner and the individual trying to out her true identity, Mouse must come to terms with her past while testing the rules she has put in place to keep herself safe so as not to tread on her morals.

102 Days of Lying About Lauren reminds me of a mixture of the books Junkyard Dogs by Katherine Higgs-Coulthard, because of Mouse being left to fend for herself, and The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves #1: Egypt’s Fire by Tom Phillips, as we have a kid that lives in a museum. With this tale, author Maura Jortner does a wonderful job of captivating readers from the first page and truly making you invest in Mouse’s wellbeing. She’s likeable, charismatic, principled and doing her best day to day to survive and thrive. Whether she is attempting to evade detection from Nalo the security guard or lending Tanner a hand with a goodbye gift for a pal or putting her stability on the line to save a life (you’ll see), you’re fully intrigued by Mouse’s adventures.

For those looking for a sweet and young adult book for your kids to read, pick up 102 Days of Lying About Lauren. I read it in a total of two days – it was that cute – but I’m sure with all the pool activities and summer festivities this summer younger readers will make this tremendous tale last longer. I, for one, have my fingers crossed that a sequel or Disney+ film about this story is in the works.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanner’s dad is big wig at amusement park
12 yo passing for 16, sleeps in top of haunted house since mom abandoned her in a Florida amusement park. Later on in the acknowledgment section the author says the story idea came after a visit to Disney world.
Tunnels under park trash cans that self empty out the bottom
Tornado!
Not know what a sloth is, really Mouse/Lauren?
Nice wrap up to story, surprised she got a choice at the end with whom to live, and it doesn’t tell the reader where she went.
Wish they would’ve mentioned why Cat needs a cane, I think kid readers would wonder about that.

[Ivka_s_knihou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tohle zase bylo něco na moje pocuchaný nervy. To jsem si zas pěkně pobrečela.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @holidayhousebooks @jaimerockstarbooktours for having my kids and I on this booktour.

This book came yesterday and my 12 year old cracked the spine (so to speak) in few hours. She’s still raving about it this morning. This is her review:

Lauren or AKA Mouse is my age who simply put on her brave face and grab the bull by the horn. She was afraid but learned how to handle her situations and emotions with grace. I was so annoyed with her yet I felt her feelings when judgment needs to come out. My mom usually tells me to go under the radar if some trouble makers are acting up but also believe in see something say something. I don’t want to be called snitch but being an underdog makes the winning satisfying. Lauren is my alter ego and I was really saddened when her mom abandoned her after bombing her with gifts even though they didn’t have money. This story is so inspirational despite a bit mischievous, but overall it tells us that we’re simply lucky to be alive with or without money. I really love this book!

[Anna Moberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more, but for me the book was not fun. My problem with it is how it talks about trauma. The main character “Mouse” has her fair share of trauma: child abandonment by her mother, a horrible storm comes through the park which she and her friends could have died in, and also rescuing a friend from having a wall collapse on him due to the storm/tornado . The character Tanner has a lot of trauma on him as well with the death of his sister and after the wall collapses on him in the horrible storm he becomes somewhat suicidal. He wants to die and be with his sister who died earlier. Yes, kids can be resilient, but I do wonder if showing how adults can help kids in these very hard situations would have been better?

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and perfect quick read about something I’m sure most kids dream about, living inside of an amusement park. I would’ve loved for this to be longer than one day, but I will totally take this chaotic whirlwind disaster a single day! What a fun story and Mouse’s voice was just absolutely perfect and I just had so much fun.

[Jgramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Lauren is a character to root for as she works to survive having been abandoned at a theme park. She takes on the roll of sidewalk sweeper and befriends Taylor over 102 day. It was in the 102nd day, she came face to face with Mother Nature and the realization that maybe she couldn’t hide anymore or could she??

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouses story was incredible. Left alone in an amusement park mouse had to learn how to live on her own and doing this she was always looking over her shoulder but why she wasn’t 100% sure. She made herself as inconspicuous as possible with the exception of her best friend. This is quite a story of love, loss and friendship. It is a realistic fiction, and a very good one.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! So intriguing, and you'll find yourself rooting for Mouse from the very first page. The setting is fabulous, and the theme park becomes a character. What kid wouldn't want to live in a theme park? A wonderful read.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly stuck between 3.5 and 4 stars for this!

I randomly picked it up at the library, intrigued by the title and then when I saw it was about a girl living in a theme park I was like sign me TF up!!! Totally up my alley.

Having spent a year working in Walt Disney World, over a decade of working for the Walt Disney Company and many trips there over the years, I couldn’t handle how thinly veiled the fact was that she was living in an amalgamation of WDW parks. 😅 It was like mashing together Liberty Square in MK, with some Hollywood Studios thrown in. The pin trading, calling people guests and the park bracelets and at one point hitchhiking ghosts were mentioned. Even her chosen name due to the broken nametag was Mouse!!! 😂 Granted the author’s note at the end did say she went to WDW in March 2020 before Covid and that trip inspired the book but ma’am. 👀 It was very thinly veiled haha.

I loved Mouse as a character, I loved her funny and creative ways of expressing confusion and concern, they often made me laugh out loud they were so absurd but in a good way. I was enjoying the book a lot, even when the girl came up asking about Lauren I thought oooh here we go! But then BAM tornado. Now I don’t know if I was supposed to know that was gonna happen thanks to the blurb description but I didn’t know, and it felt like the story changed direction rather abruptly and harshly. From then on I didn’t enjoy it as much, as it felt like it was no longer about an abandoned girl living in a theme park.

It also felt like it became Tanner’s story instead of Mouse’s. When his sister was first mentioned I was like “is she dead” and then I thought oh maybe not, but then she was. 🥲 And it became about convincing Tanner to live instead of succumb to the injuries of a wall falling on him, which I thought was shockingly dark for what I thought this book was. His cries of wanting to die and be with his sister were devastating. It was sweet of Mouse to work so hard to convince him living was worth it, but I wish the story had focused on her throughout.

Cat was a fine character, she somehow reminded me of Jenna from Pretty Little Liars? Probably the cane and her description haha. I’m not sure why she was so rude to Mouse in the beginning? Glad they worked out something of a relationship during the tornado aftermath but I dunno. Their friendship didn’t feel genuine in the end.

I was happy to learn Nalo was actually a good person, that was nice. And I’m really glad Mouse was able to make her own choice about going with the social worker and that it didn’t just end with her going back to her mom all hunky dory. Her 12-year old emotions surrounding the abandonment felt realistic to me, especially pushing them down and when they all bubbled up while talking to Tanner.

I thought the bits about her knowing so much about panic attacks a little unrealistic though, like the fact that she was having one in a corner and a random girl just came up to her and was like “this is how you handle one, my therapist taught” me was WAY too convenient and added in just so Mouse knew what to do.

Overall I did enjoy this a lot, it was darker than I expected but I wish it had focused on Mouse more. Like I wish she had worked through it all without being under the guise of helping someone else/a boy.

[Thistle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quick synopsis : A girl is abandoned by her mother at Disney World a random amusement park and lives there with the help of employees for 100+ days.

Brief opinion : What a frustrating story this was. So unbelievable. The author had help from actual Disney employees (and said in the author note that the "random amusement park" was based on Disney World), yet every single element about the park was completely unbelievable.

Plot : A mother abandons her daughter at Disney World a random amusement park. The girl finds a corner of a ride that she can sleep in at night. She steals a "uniform" (just a shirt) from an actual employee and pretends to be part of the custodial crew.

Park employees feed her breakfast and lunch every day. Security is aware that she doesn't actually work there but they let her keep sweeping in the park every day.

Eventually a tornado hits the park and destroys the ride she had been living in, and everything falls apart for her.

Writing/editing : The technical writing and editing were fine, but I spent the entire time reading this book ranting about how inaccurate it was. NOTHING about the park/Disney aspects were based on any sort of reality.

What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : I need to be able to believe a story to enjoy it. Some of the many, many believability issues:

- Lauren is 12 years old. She pretends to be 16 so she can pass as an employee. 18 is the minimum age to work at Disney. (If the author's note saying outright that this was based on Disney wasn't enough, Lauren uses a broken badge with only one word showing, "Mouse", as her name tag. Mickey Mouse...)

- Lauren/Mouse does not shower for 100+ days. She washes up in a sink once a day. She has no access to laundry. An almost-teenager is wearing the same shirt for 100+ days straight in the Florida heat...

- Disney has a whole "Look Book", an actual book, on what employees have to look like. Someone who did not shower for 100+ days would not be permitted to work. Plus uniforms are more than just a shirt (they have pants, shoes, and a hat). Plus her "homemade" name tag (a broken Mickey Mouse badge) would never ever EVER pass as a real name badge.

- There is no way on Earth multiple adults would help a 12 year old kid live in the park. It would cost them their job and it would be an awful thing to do for the kid.

I could go on and on. Grrrrrr. The author credits Disney cast members (park employees) for helping her!

Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : ⭐️ - Hated.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This touching middle-grade novel is a 3.5 for me, and readers who enjoyed How to Steal a Dog will also appreciate this one. Twelve-year-old Mouse Suszek--the Lauren referred to in the title--has somehow managed to survive living in a Florida amusement park after her mother abandons her. In order to do so, she maintains a list of Rules to Live By and Lies Told, guides that help her keep a low profile and make it through her days and nights without falling apart. Essentially homeless, she wears an employee's uniform and moves across the park sweeping and cleaning while keeping as low a profile as possible. For some reason, there is always breakfast and lunch to be had, and she maintains a friendship with another worker, who has secrets of his own. But on this, Day 102 of living on her own, the gig is up, and Lauren is spotted by someone who knows her. This cousin, Cat, is someone she barely remembers, and Lauren isn't ready to trust yet another family member after being let down by her own mother. When a vicious storm strikes the areas, she'll have to make some hard choices and maybe, just maybe, decide to trust and let someone into her heart once again. As she does so, Lauren realizes that she's misjudged more than one person at the amusement park and that she hasn't been as far beneath the radar as she thought she was. While parts of the story seemed unlikely, readers will root for Lauren to find an ending with the possibility of happiness. She's someone who is hard to forget and whose plight seems almost unimaginable. There will be plenty aspects of this book worth discussing.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel is quite the rollercoaster ride—fitting, considering it's set in an amusement park. "102 Days of Lying About Lauren" gripped me from the get-go, weaving a tale that's equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching.

Imagine being twelve years old, abandoned by your own mother in an amusement park. That's the reality for our protagonist, Mouse, or Lauren Suszek as she's known when she's not living under the radar. She's made the park her home, navigating its nooks and crannies, evading security guards, and scavenging for survival. It's a tough life, but Mouse has her routines down to a science—until her cousin Cat comes looking for her.

Jortner paints a vivid picture of the Florida amusement park setting. You can practically smell the funnel cakes and hear the distant screams from the roller coasters. It's a world that's both enchanting and eerie, mirroring Mouse's own precarious existence.

What struck me most about this book was its exploration of found family and friendship. Despite Mouse's tough exterior, she forms genuine connections with characters like Tanner, a fellow park dweller, and even Cat, despite her initial suspicions. Their bonds add depth to the story, reminding us that even in the bleakest of circumstances, human connection can be a beacon of hope.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I would have expected had I read the synopsis prior to starting my read. Some of this book requires a little more suspension of disbelief than others but I think Jortner made it work. The main character, Lauren, who goes by Mouse, has spent over 100 days hiding and surviving in an amusement park after her mom purposefully leaves her alone in the park. Since she's tall for her age, she survives by pretending to work sweeping and cleaning areas of the park. Jortner lays some clues that perhaps someone is looking out for her before things come to a head on the 102nd day. First, someone appears to recognize her. Then, a sudden severe thunderstorm which spawns at least one tornado, hits the park bringing Lauren head to head with the girl that recognizes her and puts them in a situation where they, along with Lauren's best friend, the son of a bigwig in the park, are trapped in a potentially unsafe location. Like I mentioned, some of the plot events require a lot of suspension of disbelief. However, Lauren as a character feels like a real person, making realistic decisions based on the cards life has dealt her.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, wonderful story of a young woman (12) - Mouse (from a broken name tag she 'adopted') aka Lauren Suszek... abandoned by her mother at an amusement park (100 days earlier)... and she made it home... having found an employee shirt & name tag & broom/dust pan... she spends her days sweeping...

fed (mysteriously) by the head of security... who had a few watching over her...
and her only friend, the park owner's 16 year old son, Tanner - they had lunch every day.

and she reminds Tanner of his sister... whom he feels responsible for her death (she left a party with an inexperienced driver and...) and whose parents blame him...

the climax of the book weaves a tornado, Tanner's attempt at suicide (thinking his sister's ghost is in the Haunted Mansion), and her slightly older cousin finding her (sent by her mom) who ends up helping them.

and the story ends wonderfully - all are well - all have choices.. though we don't find out Lauren's choice...

[Cristina Rouvalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming page-turner about a 12-year-old girl whose mother abandons her in an amusement park that sounds a lot like Disney. To survive, Mouse, or Laura in her past life, pretends to work there, sweeping all the gunk people leave around, reciting charming rules that keep her under the radar. The voice of Mouse is pitch perfect. She is a plucky little heroine who against all odds sleeps inside the bowels of a haunted amusement park ride -- until the day her invented life collides with her real life.
My only minor quibble is that the light tone of the book downplays the trauma of being abandoned and there are some twists with the undercover security guard that strain credulity. But tthese nitpicks are coming from an adult. Most kids will be so enthralled by the inventive premise and great pacing and characterization that they will inhale this book. How can you not root for Mouse?

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though parts of the plotlines were a bit clunky and unrealistic, the overall story works. Mouse/Lauren has figured out how to survive in an amusement park after her mom abandoned her. She finds somewhere to hide and sleep as well as something to do each day to blend in. Rather impressive for a twelve year old but hints are offered that she has taken care of herself and her mother for a long time. Mouse trusts one person on the staff and learns about his life though guarding her own. She bluffs that she is sixteen but the way she is portrayed is as a younger child so this feels disjointed. The day a tornado strikes, she has to make all sorts of choices for survival for her, Tanner and a girl claiming to be her cousin. I appreciate the way the security guard and the social worker are portrayed. I also think Tanner's family offers a realistic look at how grief can twist emotions and lives. The park itself is obviously modeled on Disney World and the author shares this in her notes.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

102 Days of Lying About Lauren is a great debut for the talented author, Maura Jortner. I adored this story of friendship and hope. I thought this story to be a charming tale with lovable characters. I could see myself in Mouse. Even though, there was a lot of drama involved, there was, also, a sprinkle of humor all throughout. I loved it.
102 Days of Lying About Lauren will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading middle grade fiction. I would be interested in reading more by Maura Jortner in the near future and seeing what she has in store for her characters next.
I received a digital copy of Maura Jortner's 102 Days of Lying About Lauren from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book! I had the pleasure of being Dr. J's student, and learning from her has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
102 Days of Lying About Lauren is gripping, easy to digest, and just fun to read. It's a great middle grade book, and I know this would have been one of my favorites when I was twelve, just like Mouse. Mouse is a compelling character that I wanted to know more about, and I loved her sibling-like relationship with Tanner. The plot kept me hooked the whole time, and even sillier moments had the same somber tone necessary for a book about a preteen girl living on her own.
I appreciated the full circle moments quite a bit. We find out what happens to Leggy and Tanner! Nalo is expanded upon! I didn't leave this book feeling unfulfilled in the slightest.
I truly enjoyed reading this, and frankly, might read it again. 5/5 stars!

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something about survival stories that make me cheer for the survivor. At twelve years old, Lauren survived in an amusement park for 102 days after being abandoned by her mom. Hold on to your heartstrings! I was enamored with her ability to blend into the surroundings and her invented ways to score the basic necessities. If that isn’t enough, the plot ratchets up when a tornado destroys the park. Lauren and an employee must confront their heartaches and anxiety. Overall, this is five thumbs up for its unique plot and the development of the main character. Way to enter the world of authors!

[Genetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant book delicately reveals the horrible reality of kids being abandoned by their parents in theme parks. Twelve-year-old spunky Mouse (aka Lauren) hides out in the theme park because she's afraid a social worker might force her to go to a foster home. She assumes the role of a park employee who sweeps up trash and helps people while living by her own code of ethics. This gentle story of a kid on the run who takes the time to befriend and help others will tug at heartstrings. And all the while, readers will admire Mouse and want to emulate her kindness and sense of responsibility in the face of her fears. I highly recommend this novel.

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rules to live by: Trust people once they prove themselves, Don't judge a book by it's cover, or simply Give everyone a fair shake. That's what Mouse aka Lauren has to learn, after living in an amusement park for over 102 days. Abandoned by her mother, Mouse learns to bob and weave, surviving by instinct and the silent help of others. She doesn't truly take advantage of her friendship with Tanner nor the fact that she's "living" there for free. She actually works. Not many kids who were abandoned by their parent would do this. While the reader will sympathize for Mouse, they will also root for her conviction to survive, to make "adult" choices that no kid that age should make.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

For most kids, being trapped in an amusement park would be the dream of a lifetime. But for Lauren, it is her reality. You see her mother abandoned her in the park. For 102 days she has managed to somehow go unnoticed and “blend” in by pretending to work at the park. But one morning a girl named Cat comes looking for Lauren. If she gets discovered living in the park, Mama might come back for her. Or even worse, Mama might not come back at all. Can she ditch the girl without blowing her cover? Will her carefully constructed life in the park be all she needs?

Read “102 Days of Lying About Lauren” to find out.