Better Than Blonde.

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

As the cast of characters continues to be developed, Toten’s sequel to Me and the Blondes becomes even more emotionally engaging than the original. About to enter grade 10 in 1975 Toronto, 15-year-old Sophie Kandinsky uses her father’s release from Kingston Penitentiary and his return home as an opportunity to restart her life. While still secretly yearning to acquire the essence of being a Blonde, Sophie resolves to abandon her past coping behaviours, which included telling lies. Unfortunately, Sophie, who has yet to share the truth about her father with two of the Blondes, must continue to represent Papa as her uncle. Additionally, Papa, while ostensibly looking for work, recommences drinking. With alcohol having contributed to his previous imprisonment, Papa takes advantage of Sophie’s love for him by involving her in hiding his drinking from Mama, who is becoming increasingly upset at having to be the family’s breadwinner. Sophie, who already holds secrets shared with her by Madison and Kit, has the third Blonde, Sarah, confidentially reveal that she lost her virginity at camp and might be pregnant. Though burdened with all these secrets, Sophie finds temporary joy in the increasing attention being paid her by her longtime crush, 18-year-old Luke Pearson. However, before Sophie and Luke can become a couple, Luke, in accordance with the period’s do-the-right-and-honourable-thing standard, weds his pregnant girlfriend. Sophie’s three zany European “aunts,” who introduce Sophie to “trashy” romance novels, continue to provide the comic relief needed to lighten the novel’s darker moments that include Papa’s ultimate admission of alcoholism. Highly recommended.