Looking For X

Her penchant for renaming others is extended to a homeless woman in a neighborhood park whom she calls X. She brings her food and chats her up when she is babysitting her younger brothers.

Her twin brothers, David and Daniel, 5 have infantile or Kanner's Autism. Both boys wear diapers and are nonverbal. David was named after former Monkee Davey Jones because their single mother is an avid Monkees' fan. I thought that was adorable and funny. Too bad she wasn't a BEATLES' fan - then the twins might be, for example George and Paul!

Khyber is not without challenges. She and her single mother learn to dodge social workers and other professionals who insist the boys need more care; she is the brunt of school bullies who torment her for being the youngest in her grade and worst of all, taunt David and Daniel. That is the one line Khyber won't allow anyone to cross. She defends her brothers like a tigress, attacking anyone who dares criticize them. The one funny part in this book was when David ran up to Khyber when she was in a school play. When her nemesis makes cruel comments about him, Khyber delivers her line with a swear thrown in for good measure prior to stomping off stage. I thought that was funny.

Things take a down turn when their mother decides to enroll the boys in a residential program. Khyber is accused of vandalism. She runs away and a group of female Elvis Impersonators come through so she doesn't serve time in Jailhouse Rock and that there are some who ain't nothing but hound dogs. She learns the lesson of "don't be cruel" and it is a return to Heartbreak Hotel with a rather bizarre ending.

I thought this book was just mediocre. If I could have rated it 2.5 stars, I would have.