Jones, Carrie.  Girl, Hero.  2008.  305p.  Flux, $16.95. (978-0-7387-1051-8). Gr. 7-12

Finding your way in high school can be scary, but with a secret friend like dead  silver screen hero John Wayne at her side, high school freshman Lily is able to choose between trying out for cheerleader or the school musical.

Lily’s decision is made when she lands a big part in the play, but now her best friend is jealous.  Lily writes to John Wayne each day in an effort to make sense of the struggles her family is having–her divorced mother has started a relationship with a sleazy family friend, her brother-in-law is battering her sister, and a boy she thinks is cute tells her that everyone in town thinks her father is gay.–Arla Jones