SONNY’S HOUSE OF SPIES

Life changed for Sonny and his family when his father walked out the door. At six, Sonny felt sure that if he just figured out the right thing to do, life would return to normal and his father would return home. At 13, Sonny is much more aware of ambiguity. His dawning understanding of the world around him ranges from recognition of the pervasive racism of small town 1950s Alabama to the discovery that a long-time family friend has been hiding his knowledge of where Sonny’s father went—and why he left. In the hands of a less-talented writer, the plot might have seemed both overstuffed and melodramatic. Sonny copes with unexplained “spells,” develops his first crush, and discovers a sensational secret. There’s also an amputation and a deadly fire. But Lyon expertly weaves together plot, setting, and a cast of unforgettable characters to create a compelling, believable, emotionally honest tale about one boy’s coming of age. You’ll know Sonny when you’re finished reading his story—and you’ll be glad you do. (Fiction 12-14)