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Updated November 21, 2003
John Riley's Daughter, by Kezi Matthews (Junior/Young Adult)
When Memphis Riley’s mother dies, her father unceremoniously dumps her on her only remaining relative, her grandmother, to raise. Her grandmother was not prepared to have Memphis and has quite enough on her hands with her retarded daughter Clover. Matters deteriorate over a period of time because Naomi always takes Clover’s side over Memphis. When Clover breaks Memphis’s mother’s guitar, an argument ensues and Clover runs off and disappears. Naomi of course blames Memphis and Memphis is feels guilty as well as hours go by and Naomi does not turn up. All the resentment Naomi has ever felt over Memphis's battles with Clover, for arriving out of the blue, and for just being John Riley’s daughter comes pouring out.
Memphis finds few people to take her side and her future becomes more and more uncertain as people wonder if she had something more to do with the disappearance than an argument.