The Puzzle of the Paper Daughter

The Puzzle of the Paper Daughter is a Historical Character Mystery that is part of Julie's books.

Facts

 * Author: Kathryn Reiss
 * Cover Illustrator: Jean-Paul Tibbles
 * First Published: 2010
 * Setting: San Francisco, CA, February 4 - February 12 1977

From the Central Series

 * Julie Albright
 * Ivy Ling
 * Daniel Albright
 * Joyce Albright
 * Tracy Albright
 * Mr. Ling
 * Mrs. Ling
 * Andrew Ling
 * Missy Ling
 * Gung Gung
 * Po Po

Chapter One: Surprises
Julie and Tracy are sitting at the kitchen table eating cookies and talking about the upcoming Valentine Disco. Mom asks for the two of them to head downstairs and help out with the first floor store, Gladrags. The shop has become busy lately, with Tracy working part time and Mom contemplating hiring more employees. Julie says they'll be down soon. Mom says she's received two large bags of clothing from Ivy's grandmother, Po Po, who's been doing some cleaning ahead of Chinese New Year.

Julie opens one of the bags and takes a peek. The clothing looks old and worn, and Mom tells her to check it for tears. Any damaged clothing will have to be repaired before Mom can add any appliqués or beads. Red and pink clothing will be set aside for the Valentine's Day display. Tracy mentions the school's disco club will host a Valentine's Day dance at the high school gym to raise funds for a shelter housing homeless teens and that she's on the decorating committee. Julie spins inside the shop, thinking what she imagines is a disco move. Mom warns Julie to watch the candle display as Julie knocks into a shelf before the phone rings.

As Mom's occupied with the phone, Tracy takes the other bag and heads to the upstairs apartment. Julie stays downstairs, listening to Mom talk with her old childhood friend, Olivia Kaminksy. Julie takes her bag of clothing and heads upstairs. As the girls sort through the clothes Po Po dropped off for the Valentine's display, they claim various items for their personal use. Julie finds a red ball gown and thinks it's perfect for the dance. Tracy says she would look ridiculous as everyone will be wearing jeans.

When Julie starts checking a red quilted coat, she manages to pull out a piece of paper. She unfolds it and finds an old note written in Chinese. Tracy pretends give various translations, such as telling Julie to give her all her allowance or sorting the rest of the clothing by herself. Julie shows the note to Mom, and Mom thinks it could be a shopping list of sorts. The note reminds Mom that she needs to go grocery shopping and that the girls will spend the night with Dad.

As Julie continues to examine the note, Mom says Olivia will be moving to San Francisco to look for a job. Tracy is disinterested, but Julie says Olivia could work at Gladrags. Mom says that while Olivia will be working at Gladrags, the part-time pay won't be enough for her to live on. Olivia will be moving in to the upstairs apartment until she either finds a full-time job and an affordable apartment.

Neither Tracy or Julie are excited at the prospect. Julie points out the scarcity of space while Tracy says all the bedrooms are occupied. Mom says it'll only be a month or two. Julie will move into Tracy's room as it's bigger, and Olivia will occupy Julie's room. Tracy wails at the idea. Julie doesn't make a fuss as she knows there's no point in changing Mom's mind.

Mom apologizes to both girls, saying she didn't have much of a choice. Tracy complains there'll be no peace or quiet, let alone privacy. Mom reminds them that all sorts of things could happen when people relocate, then tries to console them that Olivia will be so busy working at Gladrags or looking for a full-time job she'll pay little attention to either girl. Julie suggests she could stay with Dad. Mom vetoes the idea as his flight schedule means he's usually gone half the time. She also reminds the girls to get packed, as Dad will be arriving soon to pick them up. Mom also tells Julie she could show the note to Ivy and see if anyone in her family can translate it. Julie folds the note and puts it away, just as Tracy gives one last pretend translation about Olivia.

Julie doesn't find Tracy's antics funny, and heads to her room. As she looks around her room, she dreads Olivia occupying her room and having to sleep in Tracy's room. Julie tries on the red coat, and finds it too tight and too short for her. Julie pulls out the note again and looks at it. She notices some of the lines are shaky, as if someone had been tense or anxious, and thinks it could either be a note from a friend asking for help, or someone cramming for a test. Julie folds the note and puts it away again, as it's so old it didn't matter what the subject of the note was. Once Julie's done packing, she looks outside the window, waiting for Dad and trying not to think about Olivia.