Life Magic — Melrose Cooper

Crystal's older sister, Janelle, just won second place in a writing contest, and her younger sister, Roxann, was picked to sing a solo in the school play. It's difficult to be in the middle of two gifted sisters -- especially when Crystal thinks she has no talents of her own.

Then Uncle Joe comes to town and Crystal finds comfort in their friendship, and starts to feel special. But when she is told that Uncle Joe is dying of AIDS, she must come to grips with his illness. In the process, Crystal learns a lot about her strong family, about life, and most of all, about herself. Full of hope and optimism, this coming-of-age story explores life and death, and one family's struggle to stick together through hard times.