Description: Cyd Charisse takes on Manhattan in this follow-up to "Gingerbread" and "Shrimp." Now that she's graduated from high school, Cyd crashes with her brother Danny in New York City, ready to start her fabulous independent life--that is, until she breaks her leg.

more

Children's Literature Review: Cyd Charisse is both excited and confused by her new surroundings. After moving from San Francisco to New York City to live with her half-brother Denny, she settles in to the city but still misses her true love, Shrimp. Her life there is filled with ups and downs, enrolling in and then dropping out of culinary school, breaking her leg, getting a job as a barista, and a drunken encounter with a date that she immediately regrets. Just when she is beginning to feel grounded in New York City, Shrimp shows up and forces her to re-evaluate their relationship. While Cyd's adventures are interesting, Cyd's voice while entertaining always seems to be at the same emotional level, whether interacting with her brother, dealing with a possible pregnancy, or meeting her long-lost love. She seems to regard everything that happens to and around her with the same intensity, which becomes monotonous. Still, fans of Cyd will enjoy following her on this latest wacky adventure.