Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - 3 stars

[Ellen]

After reading about the disappearance of a local millionaire, Aza Holmes and her best friend Daisy decide that they will join the search - especially since there is a generous reward of $1oo,ooo. Aza had attended 'sad camp' (a camp for children who had lost a parent) with the millionaire's son Davis Pickett so they have a history if not a true friendship. Aza reaches out to Davis at high school one day and become close friends and find a mutual attraction. However, Aza's anxiety about germs are debilitating with any close relationship and this one seems doomed from the start. Davis would like Aza and Daisy to stop their search for his father. It seems the elder Mr. Pickett was quite eccentric and had willed all of his money to his pet tuatara, a lizard like creature that could live for close to 2 centuries. Although only a teenager, Davis now has the responsibility of caring for his younger brother and if his father is declared dead, the two boys will lose everything including their home. Aza is torn between solving a mystery and agreeing to her friend's wishes. Her anxiety has never been at such a high level.

I like the friendship aspect of this book especially the one between Aza and Daisy. They are fun and devoted to one another. Aza's anxiety is heart-breaking in that she can't ever see herself in a loving relationship; too many germs. The millionaire mystery is solved but maybe not in the way all involved would have wanted.