This is a YA historical fiction novel, a rare breed. It takes place in 1950's Minnesota, the time when all those MST3K shorts and movies take place. The main plot is about a high school senior who just found out she's adopted (really a black market baby) and wants to find her birth parents. I don't know why any adopted kid would want to do that because there's no way it won't be a disappointment (there's a reason they were given up), but I'm not adopted so I can't say. Maybe I'm just made it's a common plot catalyst. In between sleuthings, she visits an old folks home, goes out with her friends doing things you saw in "American Graffiti", laments about the effects of war, and generally putzes around.

I feel like the story did a lot of pandering to Minnesota native. It makes sure to mention that it's the Snelling streetcar, not just the streetcar that everyone knows and no one needs to mention by name. Also, it takes a long time to get events moving. The first third of the novel, Laura Buggs is trying to get info out of the ninety-year-old lawyer that served as the intermediary. After this she learns that old people are actually kind of cool, like in Recess episode 112 (57a).

On the other hand, it also made me wish I was there, eating chocolate malts and riding streetcars without parents to helicopter. It's an enjoyable read, but I don't feel particularly satisfied after it. There's a real disconnect between the happy optimism of the first 75% and the whip-turn ending. I think it's audience is more for Minnesota senior citizens who will appreciate the old times and a good mystery. ( )

As a Minnesota girl I was happy to get ahold of an author who wrote local. I loved the first novel I read by this author. However Finding Laura Buggs I found disappointing. I just could not warm to the book. I am not sure why the prose was good and the story idea itself was sound. However I struggled with the book. Perhaps because Laura put herself in so many dangerous situations and I just wanted to smack her and say STOP doing that! Or perhaps it was for another reason. ( )

I didn't think I would like this book. At first it seems to be a naive look at high school life in 1940s Minneapolis. As the story unfolds it turns into an intriguing mystery with a climax worthy of Alfred Hitchcock. There are enough heartwarming and humorous tidbits to keep the pages turning until the surprising end. It ended up a very worthwhile read. I can't wait to track down more of West's books! ( )