Blue’s story, chronicled in 27 Willoughby family albums, comes to life as she describes her widely photographed childhood. Early photos show her as a beautiful child who appeared in a Hollywood movie, only to be struck by a golf cart during filming; the accident tainted her future as she lost an eye (replaced with a glass eye) and suffered permanent leg damage. Although her parents are distant, her grandfather, who lives on the Passamaquoddy Reservation in Maine, loves her without question. One summer, she learns to weave baskets and quickly masters the skill of creating baskets that are “beautiful for looking at, as well as strong for potatoes.” On prom night, she is seduced by her date and becomes pregnant. At college, she decides to keep the baby and live with her beloved grandfather on thereservation. Blue finally comes to grips with the early death of Berry, her twin sister, along with her awakening lesbian sexuality. Thayer’s first novel is written with skill and patience, like one of Blue’s handcrafted ash baskets. Copyright© , American Library Association. All rights reserved