A Sky Painted Gold

Gr 8 Up–As one half of the sibling team who was “Lou-and-Alice,” Louise is understandably feeling adrift after the wedding of her beloved older sister. She deals with her anxiety by exploring the glamorous Cardew estate in 1929 Cornwall, where she lives. One night, as she is spying on a party there, the good-looking Robert Cardew spots her in a tree. Their chemistry and sparring launches a summer of invitations through which Lou hobnobs with the London elite. As the season wears on, Lou builds an identity outside her home, learns Cardew family secrets, and discovers the difference between attraction and love. While much of this novel is pure romantic fluff, it features well-drawn characters and enough mystery to keep readers involved, despite rather mannered language and worn references to both Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby. Forays into interracial and gay love don’t make the plot any less predictable, yet it’s fun to follow Lou’s progress.