Ghost Girl by Delia Ray

Ghost Girl by Delia Ray

Review by our resident author, Joyce Moyer Hostetter

April Sloane lives a hard life in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Not only is she ridiculed for her white blond hair and eyelashes but she also carries guilt related to her brother’s death. Her mother is depressed, angry, and emotionally unavailable.

But, at least, there is Aunt Birdy (actually her grandmother) whose home is a refuge and a place of joy. And unexpected hope arrives when April learns that President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover, who have a mountain retreat in the area, are building a school for the local children.

Aunt Birdy convinces April’s mother to let her attend the school. There she finds a friend in the teacher, Miss Christine Vest. April is enthralled with her teacher and surprised to learn that this refined, educated woman also comes from humble beginnings.

Miss Vest, the Trumans, and Aunt Birdie bring hope to April’s otherwise oppressive life. But ultimately, April’s brokenness is in her own hands. Only she can decide to repair or reject her family relationships.

Delia Ray has skillfully woven fact and fiction to bring to our attention an otherwise obscure bit of presidential history. Through an extraordinary main character and a compelling story Ray reveals how education and compassion transformed an isolated mountain community.

Highly recommended historical fiction for upper elementary and middle school readers.

Singing Hands by Delia Ray

Singing Hands by Delia Ray. 2006.

Set in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1948, Singing Hands is a unique historical novel revealing insight into the hidden--and not-so-hidden prejudices of the times. Augusta “Gussie” Davis is the middle child of her family, not to mention the fact that her father is a well-respected minister...and you’ve got the perfect recipe for rebellious pranks and a summerful of trouble. “Up until the summer of 1948, when I was twelve, probably the worst thing I ever did was hum in church” (v). But there’s more to the story, her parents are deaf; her father ministers not only to the white community but to the black community as well. And his ministry doesn’t stop there, he pastors two churches in Birmingham, and a string of other churches in the South which he travels to during the week. He’s always on the road, never home. And even when he’s home...his attention is never on his hearing daughters. Whether Gussie’s behavior stems from wanting to get her dad’s attention OR is just typical growing pains, the readers will enjoy seeing her get in and out of trouble. Other characters play an important role in her journey to young adulthood as well, the family has two boarders living on the third floor: one, a retired English teacher who loves playing Opera music and runs a milinary shop, and the second a young war-widow who is the town’s librarian.

Singing Hands is the journey of one girl’s unforgettable summer where she learns not only about herself but gains a truer understanding of society as well.

Review by Becky Laney, regular reviewer
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PS. Don't forget about the Clean Reads Giveaway for Horse Passages by Jennifer Macaire!