Author: Suzanne Supplee
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: Dawn Raid by Pauline Smith
Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): Almost-eleven-year-old Josephine is NOT pleased to be moving into the Happy World trailer park over the summer of 1974. She misses her beautiful bedroom with ballerinas on the wall and her pretty, well-dressed friends. Happy World isn’t happy. It’s dingy and depressing! Nothing like the world that headstrong Josephine wants for herself.
But when Josephine learns that her would-be next door neighbor in Happy World was kidnapped months ago, she develops a begrudging interest in her new home. A kidnapping is exciting—and all signs point to Josephine being meant to find ten-year-old Molly.
Despite her efforts to stay detached, Josephine investigates Molly’s disappearance with help from the eccentric cast of characters living in Happy World. It turns out the rough edges of her community are softer and sweeter than they first seemed. And the unexpected friendships she forms might be more precious than anything she's ever owned.
My opinion: The description of this book is going to make it sound like a mystery or a thriller. It's not, really. Yes, Josephine is looking into a kidnapping. But much more than that, this is a book about a girl learning to deal with changed circumstances. It's getting to know new people and adjusting to what life has put in your path. It's learning to be kind even when people are difficult. This is a character driven novel that takes Josephine from a not altogether likeable person to a more complex individual. While there are some less believable elements to the plot it is ultimately a well developed plot with a near timeless quality to the details.
More information: Sweetness All Around Releases October 24
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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