The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti

Bibliographic Information:

Caletti, D. (2008). The fortunes of Indigo Skye. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN# 9781416910077

Plot Summary:
Indigo Skye is almost finished with high school, as his her twin brother. She lives in a small rented house with her brother, their younger sister, and mother. Money is tight. It’s hard to make ends meet. Indigo has a job as a waitress and enjoys it so much that being a waitress is her life plan. Her mother, on the other hand, wants her to attend college and have a better plan. All of this changes when Indigo is given a 2.5 million dollar tip. First she tries to give the money back, but when the former owner insists that she keep it, Indigo must re-evaluate her life plan. Her boyfriend, brother and sister become money crazy wanting to buy this and that. Her boyfriend even starts making plans with the money without talking to her first. Her mother is worried that the money will go to everyone’s head. Frustrated with the whole situation, Indigo flies off to “vacation” with her friend while she figures things out.

Critical Evaluation:
The book is told in the first person with Indigo narrating what she is feeling and doing along with what is happening around her. At times this narrative gets a bit wordy, but overall is clear and easy to follow. It is interesting to see the juxtaposition between when her family doesn’t have money compared to when it does. The money seems to be a wall building up between Indigo and her family, especially her boyfriend, Trevor. The more he gushes and makes plans about the money, the more she withdraws as it is HER money and how DARE he make plans without consulting her. Her brother now thinks that he can finally get in with the rich girl he has been idolizing and her sister has gone from raising money for tsunami victims to staring mesmerized in front of the big, flat screen tv. While suddenly taking off frightens her family because they don’t know where or how she is, leaving the family allows Indigo to think for herself, grow up, and make decisions about her money. As always making decisions has consequence even if you feel that your decision is the right one to make. However, Indigo has really thought her new plan through. She isn’t basing it on a whim; she truly grows as a character.

Reader's Annotation:
Indigo Skye knows what she wants to do with her life, continue being a waitress even though her mother feels she should continue into college to have a backup plan. This all changes when Indigo receives a tip in the amount of 2.5 million dollars causing her brother, sister, and boyfriend to go money crazy, her mother to worry about them all, and Indigo to re-evaluate her life plan.

Information about the author:
Ms. Caletti has written four other novels and has won several awards for your writing. She lives with her family in “Issaquah, a Seattle suburb” part of the time and spend the rest of her time on a houseboat. Besides reading and writing, she enjoys painting, lecturing, and writing lyrics.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; sociology

Booktalking Ideas:
• What is your career goal? Is it similar to what your parents what for you?
• What would you do with 2.5 million dollars?
• What would you do with the money beside splurge on a bunch of stuff?
• What is your plan for your life? Would money help or hinder this plan? Why?
• Does having money cause happiness?
• What do you think the following phrase means especially in thinking about this book: The love of money is the root of all evil?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest range according to the reviews is 12 – adult, but most reviews recommend this book at the high school level.

Challenge Issues:
Swearing; irreverent mentioning of Buddha; discussion of sex; excessiveness; discussion of premenopausal issues; imagined murder of a “creepy –caller;” discussion of drugs; underage drinking

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Seven mostly positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on four Best Books Lists
• Appears on one state/provincial reading list
• Has received three awards

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~BGkUau:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.