I was captivated by Deza Malone’s spunky, spirited voice from the first page. I enjoyed getting to know Deza and her wonderful family, and found her sass (and her creative use of words!) endearing. While at times the book, which deals heavily with some difficult things, can be an emotionally hard book to read, I’m glad to have had the chance to spend some time with “the mighty Miss Malone.”

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Random House

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 5 religious exclamations.

Violence/Gore: A boy is said to get in a lot of fights. Girl imagines hurting people (on two occasions). A boy plots ridiculous ways to murder his enemies. A boy is bloody and hurt after a fight. A boy and girl fistfight. Two men die in an accident. Verbal threats are made on two occasions. A boy threatens a man with a razor blade on two occasions (both scenes are brief). A group of men who are mentally unstable fight with the intent to kill each other. A girl punches a man. Shots are fired into the air. A group of armed men ransack a camp.

Sex/Nudity: A girl has a crush on a boy. A little boy tries to kiss a preteen girl. 

Mature Subject Matter:

The Depression, poverty, racial prejudice and bigotry, joblessness.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

A boy pretends to smoke a pipe. A boy sings in a speakeasy. Adults smoke and drink.