Vixen (The Flappers)
It’s the Jazz Age, and 17-year-old Gloria Carmody wants to live it up. But that’s not easy, as she is already engaged to the stuffy Sebastian Grey. Her inner flapper wins out, though, and Gloria is soon hanging out at a boozy Chicago club, attracted to the piano player, Jerome, who just happens to be black. But she is not the only vixen. Cousin Clara has come to keep Gloria company, but no one knows the farm girl has been around the block. Then there’s best friend Lorraine, who envies all that Gloria has and is determined to get some of it for herself. Debut author Larkin crams plenty of delish details of the era into this opening title in the Flappers series and does a good job of switching from one character to another, all the while lacing the stories together. Whether a sheltered girl like Gloria would really have the nerve to hook up with Jerome seems doubtful, and the tale goes over the top at times. But this is fun, and a great cover will draw ’em in. Grades 9-12. --Ilene Cooper