Description

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An indomitable heroine who believes she is destined to find her kidnapped neighbor leads this warm, big-hearted story with irresistible characters and a captivating mystery.

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.

In her extraordinary middle grade debut, Suzanne Supplee brings a small Tennessee town and its memorable residents to life. Perfect for daydreamers and unstoppable imaginations. Hand this beautiful, bursting-with-feelings read to fans of Kate DiCamillo's Raymie Nightingale series.

About the Author

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Suzanne Supplee is the author of several young adult novels. Her books have been honored on various state lists, including a Golden Sower Honor and the Louisiana Teen Choice Award, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and named a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults. Sweetness All Around is her debut middle grade novel. Suzanne earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and a master’s in creative writing from Towson University. She lives in Baltimore and teaches English.

Praise For…

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★ "This funny, moving historical fiction novel set in Tennessee in the summer of 1974 is perfect for fans of such modern classics as Kate Dicamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie. . . An excellent, emotional novel sure to make an impact on readers young and old."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Colorfully relayed and gratifying to read."—Kirkus Reviews
 
"Supplee offers an involving middle-grade tale. Josephine is a likable protagonist who gets caught up in a complicated, possibly dangerous predicament. With a 1974 Tennessee setting and well-drawn main characters, the novel takes readers on a journey with a rewarding conclusion."—Booklist

"Brimming with 1970s references and featuring a vivid setting and flawed, richly drawn characters, this immersive middle grade debut from Supplee (Somebody Everybody Listens To) offers up an eloquent portrayal of life’s variability through a protagonist learning to search for the ‘sweetness in this life.’"—Publishers Weekly

"I loved this compelling story brimming with mystery, friendship, and hope." —Kirby Larson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hattie Big Sky