With words that drizzle like warm molasses over a plate of steaming flapjacks, author Lisa Lewis Tyre’s second middle grade novel, Hope in the Holler, is simply scrumptious!
Twelve-year old protagonist Wavie B. no longer fears death after her mother’s passing; it’s living a life without the hope of love that scares her. Haphazardly planted in the mountains of Kentucky with her conniving relatives, she must navigate the strangeness of her mother’s hometown of Conley Hollow. Wavie strives to follow her mama’s dying instructions, “Be Brave, Wavie B! You got as much right to a good life as anybody, so find it!” Determined not to lose hope, Wavie and her kooky cohorts develop friendships, delve into a mystery, and discover ambitions that are worth going after.
A mixture of sunshine and dark clouds are felt by the reader as they experience the tides of Wavie’s life. Sophisticated subjects such as poverty and fractured families are written with a child-like innocence that comes across as honest without sensationalism. This type of structure lends itself to a wider audience base and would be suitable for children younger than twelve years of age with the assistance of their parent or guardian.
The familiar prose of young brave individuals and heartwarming humor, this book is reminiscent of Louis Sachar’s Holes, and Sharron Creech’s Walk Two Moons.
5 shining stars for Hope in the Holler!
Review on an Advance Reader Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Nancy Paulsen Books
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 4religious exclamations. Note:1 religious exclamation acronym is used.
Violence/Gore: 6 humorous thoughts, actions, or threats of violence; character kicks a dog out of their path; aimless threat; about 4 reports of violent accidental deaths; 2 incidents in which an adult guardian is physically violent with their child ward; teenager physically hurts a child who is their relative.
Sex/Nudity: None
Mature Subject Matter:
Illness/death of a loved one, poverty, fraud, physical abuse, adoption/custody, single parent/dysfunctional family.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Adult smokes cigarettes.
