Rosie Girl

Gr 9 Up–Seventeen-year-old Rosie is anxiously awaiting the moment she can escape her emotionally abusive stepmother, Lucy, and Judd, her stepmother's leering boyfriend. Since her father died, Rosie's main support system has been her best friend Mary. Rosie finds a box that her father hid away for her, which reveals a long-held secret: her biological mother didn't die when Rosie was three. Wanting to learn more, Rosie decides to hire a private investigator. Mary raises the PI's fee by having sex with guys for money, much to Rosie's dismay. After meeting Mac, her investigator's nephew, and befriending Elaine while riding the public bus, Rosie continues to grow while Mary begins to pull away. Filled with unforgettable characters and expertly paced, the novel takes readers down many paths to an unexpected and shocking ending that packs a punch. However, there are a few loose threads, leaving readers to fill in the blanks.