The Secret Language of Sisters ( 336 Pages)

This is the first YA book written by Luanne Rice, and I believe it should be required reading for all high school students. It includes themes around family, love, and friendship. Ruth Ann McCabe (known as Roo) and her sister Mathilda ( known as Tilly) are best friends and tell each other all of their secrets. Roo is the oldest, a junior in high school, and Tilly is a freshman in the same high school. Roo is an extraordinary photographer. They live on the coast of  Connecticut, just north of the Connecticut River. Roo takes pictures of nature in the area: marshes, woods, the water of Long Island Sound. With her boy friend of many years, she has also taken pictures of the night sky. One day, the light was just perfect, and Roo was taking pictures on her way to pick up Tilly. She was late, and Tilly was impatient. "Where ARE you?" Tilly texted Roo. "5 minutes"  Roo texted back. And that was the last Tilly heard from Roo. This book will have readers on the edge of their seats. It not only is a beautiful story about sisters, but also an important lesson about the dangers of driving and texting!