It's 1955 in Milltown, Wisconsin, where ten year old Isabella "Teaspoon" Marlene lives. She is a sweet but outspoken little girl, who misses her mother and wonders when she will be coming home. Teaspoon's mother left her with her boyfriend Teddy, telling her that she had "dreams to chase", and she then took off for a career in Hollywood.
Teddy is man who cares deeply for Teaspoon. Teaspoon tells people, "Teddy is the boyfriend Ma left me with", but "Teddy is as good as Jesus". Poor Teddy has his work cut out for him. He learns that Teaspoon has let her school work slide, and that she might not get promoted to the sixth grade. She also starts getting into fights, so something has to change. She reluctantly joins a group called The Sunshine Sisters, a mentoring program, aimed at changing the direction in life of wayward children. Her role models to date have been the Taxi Stand ladies who stand on the corner by the drug store, wear too much makeup and perfume and dress in skimpy, flashy clothing. To make matters worst they have taken a liking to Teaspoon.
Her Sunshine Sister experience pairs Teaspoon up with Brenda Bloom, and an unlikely bond is formed. A summer performance at the Starlight Theater Group, where Teaspoon gets to sing, has made a positive impact on her. She even hires the Taxi Stand ladies to do the makeup of those performing. Now she dreams about a possible singing career in her future.
MY THOUGHTS - There is so much more I could say about this wonderful story, but I don't want to give away too much detail. However, if you love coming of age stories set in small town America, with characters you will grow to love and care about, then this book will appeal to you. Not only for baby boomers like me, but people of all ages will fall in love with the memorable Teaspoon, the precocious narrator, of this beautifully written, bittersweet story. There are also other sweet characters (not mentioned in this review) that will hold your interest as well. This is one novel that I was sad to see end.
I have read every novel that Sandra Kring has written, and she has become one of my favorite writers. If you have not tried this author ---you must. There are other wonderful coming of age stories by Kring as well. Most take place in the 1950's-60's, The Book of Bright Ideas; Carry Me Home; and Thank You for All Things. I highly recommend this author, and look forward to her next novel, which I am hoping will be a sequel to my favorite: The Book of Bright Ideas.
RATING - (5/5 stars) - (Review Copy)
I've never read anything from this author, but your review has changed that for me!! I will have to check this book out for sure!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I have fallen in love with this book on the basis of your review. It sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Kring, but you've really made me want to. This book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI've not read this author either but now need to put her on my list. I love a good coming-of-age story. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteWell, it sounds like I'm not the only one who is not aware of this author -- good to know! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE coming of age stories! Can't wait to add this one to my list!!
ReplyDeleteI was really disappointed by Thank You For All Things but maybe I should give Kring a second chance.
ReplyDeleteI love Kring and this sounds delicious. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of Kring either, but your high praise for this book has convinced me to give her a try.
ReplyDeleteI passed on an ARC of this and now I'm wishing I hadn't! I need to try this author. 5/5 is high praise!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I loved The Book of Bright Ideas. I don't know why I've not read the others, but I will now!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Oh, this does sound like a wonderful book and like one I'd like to read! I like the sound of precocious little Teaspoon, and since I love coming of age stories, I know I would love this. I do have a copy of The Book of Bright Ideas on my shelf, and seeing it's a favorite of yours, I am excited to get to it! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteAwww, the name "Teaspoon" is adorable.
ReplyDeleteI loved THANK YOU FOR ALL THINGS and now have more of Kring's novels on my "save to read" list. This is a really dumb idea for a list - it's books that I think I'm going to really like but want to save them for some sort of book drought -- like that's gonna happen! I've got to stop saving her books and just read them! Thanks for your great review.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really sweet. Like a good comfort read. Haven't read any Kring but I like the sound of this one!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Kring, but I'll be adding this to my list. I love coming of age stories.
ReplyDeleteDear BBTS - Up for a book giveaway? You may have read what I'm offering already, but stop by and have a look (you never know) and tell me about a day spent as your fave hero or heroine!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to resist a book with a narrator named Teaspoon. This sounds like a wonderful story that would make a really cute movie too!
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a touching story. I'll have to look for the book. Teddy sounds like such a good person. Teaspoon is lucky to have him. Thank you for the great review, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI love Sandra Kring, and I absolutely loved HOW HIGH THE MOON. I think I liked this one even more than THE BOOK OF BRIGHT IDEAS, and it takes a lot to top that one.
ReplyDeleteI have something written by Kring on my TBR Shelves. Maybe I should check it out sooner rather than later. :)
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