Angels Turn Their Backs

Margaret Bunel Edwards is the author of The Ocean Between and The ABCs
of Writing for Children.

Just when Addy, 15, thinks she’s finally got it together, her mom and
dad split up. Addy, feeling betrayed by her father, moves with her mom
to Winnipeg to start a new life. Then Addy falls apart. She thinks
she’s going crazy and fears going to school. Worse, she hears voices
in an empty room across from their apartment. Living in the room is a
parrot that imitates voices, gives advice, and tells strange stories.
When Addy feeds the parrot, she senses a weird connection with a ghost.
Then she learns that a reclusive woman named Lotta, who had owned the
building, had died in a mental hospital.

Addy misses her father, her best friend, and the life she left behind.
Mom, concerned about Addy’s “falling dreams” makes her see a
counselor. Eventually, Addy’s falling dreams subside, the last one
ending hopefully, as she spreads her arms and flies.

This compelling story of agoraphobia, divorce, the paranormal, and
emotional recovery features excellent dialogue and a suspense-filled
plot. Young-adult readers are encouraged to ask for help in solving
their own problems. Recommended.