How High the Moon
Sandra Kring
Bantam, 2010
Ten-year-old Isabella, nicknamed Teaspoon, has been a handful ever since her mother, Catty, dumped her with an old boyfriend and ran off to Hollywood. Teaspoon fights, fidgets, and fibs like crazy – so much so that her teacher tells her she will have flunk unless she takes part in a mentorship program during the summer. Teddy, the old boyfriend who has taken her in, is determined to raise her right, so Teaspoon knows she has to do better. Fortunately for Teaspoon, her mentor is Brenda Bloom, the beautiful reigning Sweetheart of Mill Town, whose family owns the only movie theater in town – a place Teaspoon goes every chance she gets in order to see her mother on the big screen. Against all odds, as the summer passes, this unlikely duo discover a special friendship as they face personal challenges, determined to follow their hearts instead of convention.
The down-home folksy writing style almost put me off finishing this book, but luckily for me the unpredictable plot and engaging characters more than compensated for it. At first this novel starts out with a southern "charm" that is somewhat off-putting, but if you keep reading you may find Teaspoon’s annoying child-like voice to become more real, sad and sympathetic as the story progresses. While it's not the best book I have read in the past few months, it definitely builds into something worthwhile and relevant. If you like Fannie Flagg, you will enjoy this author.
This title would make good summer reading. It’s not too demanding and easy to pick up after taking a dip in the pool. Enjoy!
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Other books by this author:
Carry Me Home (2005)
The Book of Bright Ideas (2006)
Thank You for All Things (2008)
Other titles you may enjoy:
Every Visible Thing by Lisa Carey (2006)
Two years after the disappearance of their oldest son, Hugh, Elizabeth and Henry Furey, estranged by grief, work to put the tragedy behind them, while their two younger children still struggle with the past.
The Summer We Got Saved by Pat Devoto (2005)
Embracing the belief systems of her Southern hometown, Tab witnesses changes in the attitudes throughout the course of a 1960s gubernatorial campaign, which is marked by the establishment of a voting school for church members.
Similar authors you may want to try:
Lorna Landvik
Rebecca Wells
Ann B. Ross
I probably would enjoy this book as I read her other book, "The Book of Bright Ideas" and really enjoyed it. I also like Lorna Landvik and Fannie Flagg. I'll have to add this one to my list. Thanks!
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