How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over by Julia Alvarez - ESSENTIAL

Alvarez, Julia  How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over, 145  p. Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. $15.99 Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f') Violence: G, Mature Content: G.  Victor's family has moved in with Colonel Charlebois, and have opened his house as a Bed and Breakfast (mostly managed by Tia Lola).  Someone is trying to prevent them from being successful, and Tia Lola thinks she knows who is causing trouble with every house guest that arrives.  Can Miguel and Essie stop the pranks and save their new business? Another sequel to How Tia Lola Came To (Visit) Stay. Read them in order; this one comes after How Tia Lola Saved the Summer".  The original children (Miguel and Juanita) as well as Tia Lola are much less present in this book than in the others.  Alvarez is developing the stories of Victor's daughters and the original characters have taken a back seat.  In fact, Tia Lola is almost a minor part of this story.  Where's the magic? I didn't love this as much as the previous books, but, as part of a series, I still think it's essential.   EL - ESSENTIAL.  Lisa, Reading Teacher