Synopses & Reviews
Twelve-year-old Jessie K. Bovey has a lot to worry about. She doesnt know who her father is; her old biddy of a grandmother keeps interfering in her life; her best friend, Robert, desperately needs new glasses that his family cant afford; and mean Dickie Whitten teases Robert until Jessie has no choice but to punch him out.
When some New York City reporters show up in Beulah County to research a story about the War on Poverty, Jessie sees a way to solve one of her problems. She can charge money for showing the reporters around town so they can take pictures of the local color” and use it to help pay for Roberts glasses. But her plan backfires spectacularly, and Jessie learns some big lessonsand some big secrets as well.
A small Kentucky town and its quirky inhabitants are vividly evoked in Shutta Crums warm, atmospheric coming-of-age story, which handles multiple serious themes with a light touch.
Review
"...engaging and believable narrative voice...developed most eloquently...tender touches of the loving characters embrace both Jessie and the reader." THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Review
"Narrated by a chamingly unpolished character...truly memorable characters abound...absorbing plot with an uplifting ending. A remarkable first novel." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW
Review
"distinct characters...Jessie's spirit and determination drive the plot...her cover portrait will draw readers; her voice will intrigue them." KIRKUS REVIEWS
Review
"Feisty, thoroughly appealing narrator...engrossing reading...authentic, resounding voice...humorous...heart-wrenching...an affecting portrait of memorable characters in trying times." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Review
"Narrated by a chamingly unpolished character...truly memorable characters abound...absorbing plot with an uplifting ending. A remarkable first novel." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW
School Library Journal, Starred
"...engaging and believable narrative voice...developed most eloquently...tender touches of the loving characters embrace both Jessie and the reader." THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"... a great job of humanizing the backwoods stereotypes...family story...compelling drama...told with truth, tears, laughter, and real surprise." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA
"distinct characters...Jessie's spirit and determination drive the plot...her cover portrait will draw readers; her voice will intrigue them." KIRKUS REVIEWS Kirkus Reviews
"Feisty, thoroughly appealing narrator...engrossing reading...authentic, resounding voice...humorous...heart-wrenching...an affecting portrait of memorable characters in trying times." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Set in the late 1960s in the small town of Baylor, Kentucky, this novel stars Jessie K. Bovey, a twelve-year-old tomboy. The characters include Jessie's mother, Mirabelle; her best friend, Robert; Robert's little brother, Baby Blue, who has the run of everyone's house; a dog named Cooch, who stands on his head in his owner's driveway; Jessie's grandmother, who has just shed her fourth husband and acquired a new hair color and a new big car; and newcomer Miss Woodruff, a volunteer from the President's War on Poverty. Jessie is wrestling with some big questions: How do you help people without hurting their pride? How can she get new glasses for Robert, who needs them desperately? And who was Jessie's father? By the end of the summer, Jessie has got some answers, plus a firmer grip on her hot temper. Humor and serious issues are skilfully blended in this entertaining tale of small-town America.
About the Author
Shutta Crum is a retired children’s librarian. Her Clarion titles include Spitting Image and My Mountain Song. She was born in Paintsville, Kentucky, and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information visit www.shuttacrum.com.