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The Summer of Hammers & Angels
Most folks have never seen an angel. I know, because I've asked them. I asked Miss Martha at the post office. "Maybe someday, Delia, God willing." God does a lot of willing in Tucker's Ferry, West Virginia. Delia's summer is getting off to a terrible start. First, an inspector shows up at the house and threatens to condemn it. Then lightning strikes, literally, and Mama ends up in the hospital. To make matters even worse, with no other family to speak of, Delia is forced to move in with her nemesis, Tommy "as-dense-as-a-stump" Parker. Not one to sit around doing nothing, Delia huddles with her best friend, Mae, and reluctantly recruits Tommy, to help. The three of them resolve to tackle the long list of repairs, one by one. But Delia quickly discovers that it takes more than energy and willingness to handle some problems. When things go from bad to worse, Delia has to take another tack, one that starts with admitting she just can't do what needs to be done without a lot more help. The Summer of Hammers and Angels is the story of an amazing summer in a girl's life, a summer of surprises and challenges, of shocks and recovery, of discoveries and friendship, and of loneliness and community.
155 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2011
About the author
Shannon Wiersbitzky
2 books20 followersWords have always had the power to move me. That is probably why I’ve always loved writing. It grounds me.
Besides writing, one of my favorite things is to kayak on the Sassafras River. My family and I spend as much time as we can there during the summer. We catch crabs , fish, practice cannonballs and read. As you can tell….it is not a stressful place.
My first novel, The Summer of Hammers and Angels, was inspired, in part, by my experiences with Habitat for Humanity. Part of the proceeds benefit Habitat.
My second novel, What Flowers Remember, was inspired by my experience with my grandfather. He had Alzheimer's and forgot me. Park of the proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
*****
Shannon Wiersbitzky was born in North Dakota, but has lived in West Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan and North Carolina. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, her two sons, one dull fish and her entertaining mutt Benson.
Besides writing, one of my favorite things is to kayak on the Sassafras River. My family and I spend as much time as we can there during the summer. We catch crabs , fish, practice cannonballs and read. As you can tell….it is not a stressful place.
My first novel, The Summer of Hammers and Angels, was inspired, in part, by my experiences with Habitat for Humanity. Part of the proceeds benefit Habitat.
My second novel, What Flowers Remember, was inspired by my experience with my grandfather. He had Alzheimer's and forgot me. Park of the proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
*****
Shannon Wiersbitzky was born in North Dakota, but has lived in West Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan and North Carolina. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, her two sons, one dull fish and her entertaining mutt Benson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 26, 2013
Favorite lines:
Mama is the hardest-working person I know. Since we don't have everything we want, I guess even hard work takes time to pay off. Praying seems like it might be faster. p.11
"I would have come straight after the accident but Mrs. Parker and my mom decided to let you rest for a few days." Mae scowled. "What person in their right mind doesn't feel better with their best friend? Answer me that, will you? Grownups can be stupid. That's all I have to say." p. 32
When load number one was in the dryer, spinning away, the back room became hotter than a rainforest in the middle of August. Sweat puddles formed by my feet. I'd seen pictures at the library of people standing in the jungle, naked as jaybirds. I always wondered why anyone would walk around without any clothes. Now I knew. p. 107
"How do you know?" I asked, my voice sharp. "how do you know everything will work out right?
Miss Martha looked directly into my eyes. "I don't."
"What?" My heart skipped a beat.
"I don't know for sure," said Miss Martha. "But I believe it will."
"How long do you need to believe?"
Miss Martha stared out the window over the sink. "As long as it takes." p. 123
Mama is the hardest-working person I know. Since we don't have everything we want, I guess even hard work takes time to pay off. Praying seems like it might be faster. p.11
"I would have come straight after the accident but Mrs. Parker and my mom decided to let you rest for a few days." Mae scowled. "What person in their right mind doesn't feel better with their best friend? Answer me that, will you? Grownups can be stupid. That's all I have to say." p. 32
When load number one was in the dryer, spinning away, the back room became hotter than a rainforest in the middle of August. Sweat puddles formed by my feet. I'd seen pictures at the library of people standing in the jungle, naked as jaybirds. I always wondered why anyone would walk around without any clothes. Now I knew. p. 107
"How do you know?" I asked, my voice sharp. "how do you know everything will work out right?
Miss Martha looked directly into my eyes. "I don't."
"What?" My heart skipped a beat.
"I don't know for sure," said Miss Martha. "But I believe it will."
"How long do you need to believe?"
Miss Martha stared out the window over the sink. "As long as it takes." p. 123
October 24, 2012
The Summer of Hammers and Angels is a delightful and heartwarming story of one girl's very eventful and trying summer.
Meet Delia, our delightfully determined heroine, and the unfortunate way she starts her summer. Delia and her mother get a visit from the inspector due to the rundown conditions of their home. As if things couldn't get any worse, lightning strikes down on their house burning a hole through their roof and injuring Delia's mother, sending her into a coma. Afterwards, Delia moves in with the Parkers and she tries to make sense of all the unfortunate incidents that have happened to her.
The good thing about this is that, obviously, religion plays a role in this story but Wiersbitzky manages to pull it off without being preachy at all. Delia is obviously a God-fearing girl, she wonders about angels as children are wont to do, and she prays to God for her mother's recovery.
Despite all those complications, Delia is not one to give up and call it quits. She returns back to her house and thinks of different ways to earn money and repair her home along with the help of Mae, her best friend, and Tommy, her so-called nemesis. Tommy and Delia are in that stage where boys purposefully tease girls to get their attention, and girls ignore said boys, or antagonize them even further which makes said boys tease them even harder. It's a vicious cycle. But Delia is in for a surprise because Tommy is actually quite handy and knows a few things about doing repairs and fixing up a house and is actually a big help to Delia and Mae.
In the end, Delia discovers that as determined as she is, she is not capable of doing everything on her own and that sometimes there's no shame in asking for help. She discovers friendship, community and family and that sometimes, when you're in need, all you really have to do is ask. Delia then realizes that angels do not always come in the form of white-garbed halo-wearing creatures, but that angels exist in different shapes and forms, and in the midst of you and me. It is with this delightful and insightful perspective from a young girl that we relive again the innocence of childhood, and the ability to reach out to others and be part of an accepting community.
---------
This is a short story by the The Twins Read duo, inspired by Tommy's fall from a ladder in the actual story:
For someone who could probably, possibly, be a smart girl, Delia sure could be dumb sometimes. I could take a look at that roof without asking for some adult's help. I'm turning eleven in a few days, for Pete's sake. But of course, I had to do it sneakily so Mom and Dad won't have to do that thing parents are awfully good at. If you thought my Mom's nagging was bad, my Dad's look of disapproval is worse. I know I should probably ask for help this time around -I am climbing onto someone's roof, after all - but I can't help but think that Dad would not understand that I want to be the one up on that roof. I want to be the one who tells the girls where the problem lies.
It's a good thing that the garage door is open. Dad must have taken the lawnmower into the backyard. This is perfect! He won't know that I would just need to borrow his ladder for a little while.
I dragged the silver ladder into the Burns' property, and saw Mae's open-mouthed expression, and Delia's look of indignant surprise. Well, she would always have that look, I guess. And I'm guessing that by the look of her face, she's going to tell me off the same way my Mom does. "What do you think you're doing?" I heard her ask as I was climbing up the ladder. I ignore her, and even when the ladder sways, I stay on. I have a tiny fear of heights, but it is not the time to act like I just want to go back down and eat ice cream or play with the other boys. I want to prove that I am useful, although I have no idea why I have to prove to Delia that I am.
Manly pride, I guess. Uncle Joe is my Dad's older brother. When the other boys of the family came to Uncle Joe for help, he'd clap them on the shoulder and say in his booming voice, "Where's your manly pride?" Dad said it was the Uncle Joe way of saying he didn't want to help, but I'm not quite sure. I don't think men rely on each other that much. I especially don't want to rely on the girls, especially Delia.
Down below, Delia and Mae have pushed the ladder into position, although it did tear shingles off of the roof. Oops.
"Now look what you've done!" Steadily, I climbed two more rungs and glared at Delia as she shook her tiny fist at me. Her cheeks are flushed pink from all the pushing and yelling, and her hair is everywhere. I narrow my eyes. I am trying to help her, doesn't she get that? If worse comes to worse, Delia and her mom will have to move away, then I'd have no one close by to tease and annoy. Besides, girls shouldn't climb roofs. Dad always told me that being a boy meant that I had to help the girls do heavy work, even if the girl in question was Delia Burns.
"Yeah, Delia doesn't need you to break anything else." Mae's hand was cupped around her mouth as if she was using a megaphone. I would still hear her loud and clear even if she didn't do that. She takes after her mom that way.
"Get down here this instant!" Delia screeched. I couldn't ignore her any longer. She just sounded like my mom back there.
"I will not. You girls don't know anything. Roofing is man's work." I grunted as I approached the last rung of the ladder. Slowly, I heaved one leg on the roof, and then the other. "You're a man?" Delia shouted, as I tested my weight gingerly on the roof. I'd probably do fine, I assured myself as my legs start to shake a little. I have no idea what they were so freaked out about.
I take out my measuring tape and begin what I've come up here for. A few months before, if someone ever told me that I would be up on Delia Burns' house, fixing her roof, I would have laughed in that person's face. Delia Burns was a peculiar little thing. She asks weird questions, and even colored her ceramic Jesus rainbow. But now, I'm up on her roof, and she's down below, hollering as if she cared more that I would fall and break my neck, than at the possibility of her house being condemned.
And I don't want her house to be condemned.
During the summer, Delia Burns has been slowly growing on me. Sure, we still have our moments when she's being a diva and calling me a butt, but sometimes, it kind of feels like I'm just hanging out with my other friends. Except, you know, Delia's a girl, and Jack and Tim, my friends, are boys. And if there's one thing I noticed, girls smell better than boys. Even Mae, whose house is above the pet grooming salon, smells better than Tim all sweaty from pedaling his bicycle. I also noticed that girls are moodier. Delia's like a firecracker, and I could never tell when she would blow up.
But then, there's also this weird thing. You see, when Delia's not looking, I have this odd urge to touch her hair. I don't know why, but it seems like it would only be natural for me to be curious if her hair is as soft as it looks.
I shake my head. No way. This was Delia Burns. Delia Burns, whom I've heard muttering under her breath and saying that I'm as dense as a stump.I stand up quickly, wanting to erase my thoughts.
That was a wrong move. I lose balance, and I am flapping my arms. My heart drops to my stomach as my body falls backward.
I close my eyes and my thoughts immediately go to my Mom, my Dad, and to someone whose roof ultimately has a plan to kill me.
Darn this manly pride.
-------
This review also appears at www.thetwinsread.blogspot.com
Meet Delia, our delightfully determined heroine, and the unfortunate way she starts her summer. Delia and her mother get a visit from the inspector due to the rundown conditions of their home. As if things couldn't get any worse, lightning strikes down on their house burning a hole through their roof and injuring Delia's mother, sending her into a coma. Afterwards, Delia moves in with the Parkers and she tries to make sense of all the unfortunate incidents that have happened to her.
The good thing about this is that, obviously, religion plays a role in this story but Wiersbitzky manages to pull it off without being preachy at all. Delia is obviously a God-fearing girl, she wonders about angels as children are wont to do, and she prays to God for her mother's recovery.
Despite all those complications, Delia is not one to give up and call it quits. She returns back to her house and thinks of different ways to earn money and repair her home along with the help of Mae, her best friend, and Tommy, her so-called nemesis. Tommy and Delia are in that stage where boys purposefully tease girls to get their attention, and girls ignore said boys, or antagonize them even further which makes said boys tease them even harder. It's a vicious cycle. But Delia is in for a surprise because Tommy is actually quite handy and knows a few things about doing repairs and fixing up a house and is actually a big help to Delia and Mae.
In the end, Delia discovers that as determined as she is, she is not capable of doing everything on her own and that sometimes there's no shame in asking for help. She discovers friendship, community and family and that sometimes, when you're in need, all you really have to do is ask. Delia then realizes that angels do not always come in the form of white-garbed halo-wearing creatures, but that angels exist in different shapes and forms, and in the midst of you and me. It is with this delightful and insightful perspective from a young girl that we relive again the innocence of childhood, and the ability to reach out to others and be part of an accepting community.
---------
This is a short story by the The Twins Read duo, inspired by Tommy's fall from a ladder in the actual story:
For someone who could probably, possibly, be a smart girl, Delia sure could be dumb sometimes. I could take a look at that roof without asking for some adult's help. I'm turning eleven in a few days, for Pete's sake. But of course, I had to do it sneakily so Mom and Dad won't have to do that thing parents are awfully good at. If you thought my Mom's nagging was bad, my Dad's look of disapproval is worse. I know I should probably ask for help this time around -I am climbing onto someone's roof, after all - but I can't help but think that Dad would not understand that I want to be the one up on that roof. I want to be the one who tells the girls where the problem lies.
It's a good thing that the garage door is open. Dad must have taken the lawnmower into the backyard. This is perfect! He won't know that I would just need to borrow his ladder for a little while.
I dragged the silver ladder into the Burns' property, and saw Mae's open-mouthed expression, and Delia's look of indignant surprise. Well, she would always have that look, I guess. And I'm guessing that by the look of her face, she's going to tell me off the same way my Mom does. "What do you think you're doing?" I heard her ask as I was climbing up the ladder. I ignore her, and even when the ladder sways, I stay on. I have a tiny fear of heights, but it is not the time to act like I just want to go back down and eat ice cream or play with the other boys. I want to prove that I am useful, although I have no idea why I have to prove to Delia that I am.
Manly pride, I guess. Uncle Joe is my Dad's older brother. When the other boys of the family came to Uncle Joe for help, he'd clap them on the shoulder and say in his booming voice, "Where's your manly pride?" Dad said it was the Uncle Joe way of saying he didn't want to help, but I'm not quite sure. I don't think men rely on each other that much. I especially don't want to rely on the girls, especially Delia.
Down below, Delia and Mae have pushed the ladder into position, although it did tear shingles off of the roof. Oops.
"Now look what you've done!" Steadily, I climbed two more rungs and glared at Delia as she shook her tiny fist at me. Her cheeks are flushed pink from all the pushing and yelling, and her hair is everywhere. I narrow my eyes. I am trying to help her, doesn't she get that? If worse comes to worse, Delia and her mom will have to move away, then I'd have no one close by to tease and annoy. Besides, girls shouldn't climb roofs. Dad always told me that being a boy meant that I had to help the girls do heavy work, even if the girl in question was Delia Burns.
"Yeah, Delia doesn't need you to break anything else." Mae's hand was cupped around her mouth as if she was using a megaphone. I would still hear her loud and clear even if she didn't do that. She takes after her mom that way.
"Get down here this instant!" Delia screeched. I couldn't ignore her any longer. She just sounded like my mom back there.
"I will not. You girls don't know anything. Roofing is man's work." I grunted as I approached the last rung of the ladder. Slowly, I heaved one leg on the roof, and then the other. "You're a man?" Delia shouted, as I tested my weight gingerly on the roof. I'd probably do fine, I assured myself as my legs start to shake a little. I have no idea what they were so freaked out about.
I take out my measuring tape and begin what I've come up here for. A few months before, if someone ever told me that I would be up on Delia Burns' house, fixing her roof, I would have laughed in that person's face. Delia Burns was a peculiar little thing. She asks weird questions, and even colored her ceramic Jesus rainbow. But now, I'm up on her roof, and she's down below, hollering as if she cared more that I would fall and break my neck, than at the possibility of her house being condemned.
And I don't want her house to be condemned.
During the summer, Delia Burns has been slowly growing on me. Sure, we still have our moments when she's being a diva and calling me a butt, but sometimes, it kind of feels like I'm just hanging out with my other friends. Except, you know, Delia's a girl, and Jack and Tim, my friends, are boys. And if there's one thing I noticed, girls smell better than boys. Even Mae, whose house is above the pet grooming salon, smells better than Tim all sweaty from pedaling his bicycle. I also noticed that girls are moodier. Delia's like a firecracker, and I could never tell when she would blow up.
But then, there's also this weird thing. You see, when Delia's not looking, I have this odd urge to touch her hair. I don't know why, but it seems like it would only be natural for me to be curious if her hair is as soft as it looks.
I shake my head. No way. This was Delia Burns. Delia Burns, whom I've heard muttering under her breath and saying that I'm as dense as a stump.I stand up quickly, wanting to erase my thoughts.
That was a wrong move. I lose balance, and I am flapping my arms. My heart drops to my stomach as my body falls backward.
I close my eyes and my thoughts immediately go to my Mom, my Dad, and to someone whose roof ultimately has a plan to kill me.
Darn this manly pride.
-------
This review also appears at www.thetwinsread.blogspot.com
December 3, 2012
Some of my favourite stories are the ones that make me cry over something heartwarming. Wiersbitzky has written a very touching novel revolving around the idea that it takes a village to raise a child. The Summer of Hammers and Angels takes place over one sweltering-hot summer in Tucker’s Ferry, West Virginia. Delia and her mother have enjoyed a good mother-daughter relationship, but when Cassie Burns is struck unconscious by lightning, it is up to Delia to hold down the fort. Empowered by her best friend, Mae, and the kindness of her neighbours—who range from motherly Miss Martha to crotchety Old Red Clancy—Delia finds a way to save the only life she’s ever known. Along the way, she discovers a new set of family members just waiting to welcome her. I dare you make it through pages 125-6 with a dry eye.
Plot & Pacing: 9
At 150 pages long, this novel is a very quick read, but it still packs an emotional wallop. You can read it in one sitting, as I did, as you’ll enjoy reading about the different ways that Delia struggles to cope with the aftermath of the lightning strike.
Characters: 9
Delia is charming, endearing, and very nicely written. Wiersbitzky gives all her readers distinctive voices, so it’s very easy to picture them and differentiate amongst the residents of Tucker’s Ferry. I wish there were more details about Tommy’s character, but perhaps a sequel is on the way to dig into his character more.
Setting: 8
Tucker’s Ferry is like a character on its own. The author gives many details about the various places in the tiny town that you can’t help but feeling like you’re there.
Style & Writing: 8
I really enjoyed the fact that Wiersbitzky gave each character his/her own set of colloquialisms and idiosyncratic behaviour. Her writing is free of errors, and her prose is simple but effective.
Learnability & Teachability: 8
There are many themes here for a teacher to explore, but the general YA reader will enjoy this charming story.
POTENTIAL TEACHABLES
Lightning and its properties; regulations and procedures involved with inspecting and condemning houses; friendship between Delia and May; true character of Tommy; creating distinctive character voices; using details to determine “hidden” details of characters and their lives; West Virginia; various Christian denominations; carpentry tools; fried chicken (and other) recipes; sunflowers; meanings of various flowers.
Plot & Pacing: 9
At 150 pages long, this novel is a very quick read, but it still packs an emotional wallop. You can read it in one sitting, as I did, as you’ll enjoy reading about the different ways that Delia struggles to cope with the aftermath of the lightning strike.
Characters: 9
Delia is charming, endearing, and very nicely written. Wiersbitzky gives all her readers distinctive voices, so it’s very easy to picture them and differentiate amongst the residents of Tucker’s Ferry. I wish there were more details about Tommy’s character, but perhaps a sequel is on the way to dig into his character more.
Setting: 8
Tucker’s Ferry is like a character on its own. The author gives many details about the various places in the tiny town that you can’t help but feeling like you’re there.
Style & Writing: 8
I really enjoyed the fact that Wiersbitzky gave each character his/her own set of colloquialisms and idiosyncratic behaviour. Her writing is free of errors, and her prose is simple but effective.
Learnability & Teachability: 8
There are many themes here for a teacher to explore, but the general YA reader will enjoy this charming story.
POTENTIAL TEACHABLES
Lightning and its properties; regulations and procedures involved with inspecting and condemning houses; friendship between Delia and May; true character of Tommy; creating distinctive character voices; using details to determine “hidden” details of characters and their lives; West Virginia; various Christian denominations; carpentry tools; fried chicken (and other) recipes; sunflowers; meanings of various flowers.
January 31, 2012
I find it kind of weird how this short, speedy read is better than half the "full-length" novels I've come across.
The one thing which prevents me from giving it a full five-stars is how there were many times where Delia didn't sound her age -instead, she sounded younger. I realise the author wanted Delia to be a young, naive sort of girl, but it resulted in Delia just appearing plain-babyish. I think it's mainly because she still refers to her mother as "mama," which all my friends had stop doing by the time they reached eight-years-old. We all think ourselves too "cool" for long names; we just use "Mum."
And also, I liked the plot of the story. It was a predictable read, mind you, but surprisingly enjoyable. This is one of those books that, if it didn't follow the predictable path, it wouldn't be half as good. The title's pretty straightforward: it's a summer of angels whispering in Delia's mother's ears and hammers which Delia uses to fix their roof (more metaphorically, her life.)
The particular copy I received was from NetGalley and lacked any significant quotation marks, so it was extremely difficult for me to distinguish dialogue when it was in the story. So I'm secretly hoping the actual copy of this book wouldn't end up like the version I had for reviewing. Because believe me, it was painful to read.
Overall, this is a sweet story with a predictable but awesome plotline. The author does a wonderful job of making sure the sweetness isn't over-the-top, which is saying a lot, because fiction seems to be filled with melodramatic moments in the twenty-first century.
November 4, 2011
It sounds kind of cheesy to say this is a 'heart-warming story', but truthfully. . . that's exactly what it is. I realize that this book isn't geared towards my age group (pushing 30, if you must know), but I would recommend it to a person of any age.
The sweet girl in the story is Delia. She lives with her mother and they are struck (literally) with some bad luck which lands her mom in the hospital. As she recounts the ins and outs of their lives together, you start to get the feel that she craves love and most of all attention. Her mom is normally so caught up in her own problems that she forgets the most important thing in her life. I wanted to adopt this fictional girl and take her to eat donuts with me.
This book is great for Middle Grade (which is the target audience), but even for adults I think it is a compelling read. It serves as a reminder to adults that kids need our attention and how much they love the small moments. I will even divulge that there was a part at the end of the book that had me teary-eyed (in a good way).
Also, I don't want to forget to mention that the writing is so wonderful! Shannon Wiersbitzky has a true talent for putting into words the very spirit of a young girl. I could go on and on about how much I loved it, but I think you get the point :-)
The sweet girl in the story is Delia. She lives with her mother and they are struck (literally) with some bad luck which lands her mom in the hospital. As she recounts the ins and outs of their lives together, you start to get the feel that she craves love and most of all attention. Her mom is normally so caught up in her own problems that she forgets the most important thing in her life. I wanted to adopt this fictional girl and take her to eat donuts with me.
This book is great for Middle Grade (which is the target audience), but even for adults I think it is a compelling read. It serves as a reminder to adults that kids need our attention and how much they love the small moments. I will even divulge that there was a part at the end of the book that had me teary-eyed (in a good way).
Also, I don't want to forget to mention that the writing is so wonderful! Shannon Wiersbitzky has a true talent for putting into words the very spirit of a young girl. I could go on and on about how much I loved it, but I think you get the point :-)
July 21, 2011
What a wonderful story of the days when neighbors were family. Delia's mother lay in a hospital bed in a coma. The building inspector has condemned her home because of the lightening strike mainly, but has added many other repairs to the to-be-fixed list. The only thing Delia can think of to help her mother is to get their home back in shape so she'll have a place to come home to when she gets better. But how's a young girl like Delia going to fix a hole in the roof?
This is a great summer read. It's hot and you can feel the sweat drip down your back. There are picnics and lemonade, and friends and flower boxes and, oh yes, the pond. Don't miss it. You'll feel good when you are done reading!
This is a great summer read. It's hot and you can feel the sweat drip down your back. There are picnics and lemonade, and friends and flower boxes and, oh yes, the pond. Don't miss it. You'll feel good when you are done reading!
October 21, 2011
For a coming-of-age novel filled with hope and plenty of voice, debut novelist Shannon Wiersbitzky’s book THE SUMMER OF HAMMERS AND ANGELS is sure to please.
Delia’s mother is in the hospital and has slipped into a coma. A county inspector has given the family of two only a month to repair their home or it will be condemned. And Delia must stay in the home of her neighbor and nemesis, Tommy.
When Delia and her best friend, Mae, try to fix the house on their own, they are surprised when Tommy offers to assist. But when Delia learns to open up her heart even wider, she’s surprised to find a good many of the townsfolk of Tucker’s Ferry, West Va., are ready to lend a hand—perhaps along with a few angels.
This book is a comfortable, feel-good read.
Delia’s mother is in the hospital and has slipped into a coma. A county inspector has given the family of two only a month to repair their home or it will be condemned. And Delia must stay in the home of her neighbor and nemesis, Tommy.
When Delia and her best friend, Mae, try to fix the house on their own, they are surprised when Tommy offers to assist. But when Delia learns to open up her heart even wider, she’s surprised to find a good many of the townsfolk of Tucker’s Ferry, West Va., are ready to lend a hand—perhaps along with a few angels.
This book is a comfortable, feel-good read.
January 24, 2012
This story is the touching tale of a girl who doesn't crumble under adversity but instead learns to believe in miracles and work for what she wants and needs. When Delia's mother goes into a coma, leaving their soon-to-be condemned house in a precarious position, Delia takes matters into her own hands, working at it as best she can. When even her own efforts aren't enough, she turns to a higher power.
This book has that light-hearted feel and hope-filled message that will draw in readers of any age. It's perfect for middle grade readers, but it really is a tale for any one who believes in miracles. I love that it touches on faith and religion in a way that is natural and organic (aka - non-preachy). Reading this book was like a breath of fresh air!
This book has that light-hearted feel and hope-filled message that will draw in readers of any age. It's perfect for middle grade readers, but it really is a tale for any one who believes in miracles. I love that it touches on faith and religion in a way that is natural and organic (aka - non-preachy). Reading this book was like a breath of fresh air!
August 13, 2012
The cover of this book did not entice me to read it. I read it because it was on a list of reccemended titles for a selection committee I am on.
I was pleasantly surprised to find I enjoyed the sad story of Delia whose mother is hit by a lightning strike and then Delia is hit by a notice to condem their home if changes are not made. While Delia's mother lies comatose in the hospital, she and her friends conspire to fix the house. When Tommy gets hurt and it looks like the house will not be finished, Delia appeals to the church congregation who are determined to help her.
This is a feel-good book even if the ending is a little predictable.
I was pleasantly surprised to find I enjoyed the sad story of Delia whose mother is hit by a lightning strike and then Delia is hit by a notice to condem their home if changes are not made. While Delia's mother lies comatose in the hospital, she and her friends conspire to fix the house. When Tommy gets hurt and it looks like the house will not be finished, Delia appeals to the church congregation who are determined to help her.
This is a feel-good book even if the ending is a little predictable.
September 12, 2011
This is one of those books that once you start to read it, not only do you not want to put it down, but you want to tell everyone you know to buy a copy. The writter has found a way to make the reader not only involved in the lives of her character's but to be rooting for them as well. I rate this the best book that I have read in a long time. I feel that reader's from 8 to 100 will enjoy this and I think everyone will be waiting for another book from the author. A wonderful book with a special message.
October 15, 2011
This review is based on an egalley from NetGalley.com.
Delia's summer does not turn out as a normal summer for a normal girl. Thanks to a lightning storm Delia finds her life flipped around and experiences a summer she will never forget. And this was a book I will never forget! I requested this one because the title intrigued me and a summary can really only tell you so much about a book without giving the important stuff away. This was beautifully written coming of age story! I hope to recommend it to my library patrons!
Delia's summer does not turn out as a normal summer for a normal girl. Thanks to a lightning storm Delia finds her life flipped around and experiences a summer she will never forget. And this was a book I will never forget! I requested this one because the title intrigued me and a summary can really only tell you so much about a book without giving the important stuff away. This was beautifully written coming of age story! I hope to recommend it to my library patrons!
January 24, 2013
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions.
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions.
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
August 20, 2013
This 2013 WAW nominee was a good story. Delia is very likeable as the daughter of a single mom who doesn't know how to repair their house and lets it go until it is about to be condemned. Then her mom gets struck by lightning and is in a coma so Delia tries to fix everything on the inspector's list but finds it's just too hard for her so she asks for help at church. I'm not sure why there is emphasis on angels at first since Delia never sees one, but I guess the church comes to her aid like an angel so it must be symbolic, but I don't think the kids will get it.
February 27, 2012
If the cover and title doesn't draw you in the actual content of the book will. The story line is really good and will hold many readers attention. It has genuine believable characters that bring life to a very heartwarming novel. It’s going to be a great novel at in middle school library but I would recommend this novel to any age group that’s looking for a good lighthearted novel. Well worth the read.
December 27, 2014
I read this because one of the students at my school loved it. She told me that she liked it even though it made her cry. Well, it didn't make me cry, but I loved the way the author illustrated that even in small towns, people can feel isolated. All of the characters, major and minor were well thought out and felt real. All in all this is real "feel good" book and I am looking forward to reading the companion novel.
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February 27, 2016The best part of this book is the voice of young Delia Burns ringing loud, clear, and true to the fictional town of Tucker's Ferry, WV, which is not dissimilar to Jan Karon's Mitford. Delia and her mother need help to fix up their house and property or they'll be evicted. Unfortunately, Delia's mother is struck by an accident, which leaves Delia alone to deal with the problem--until she prays aloud in church and with the help of human angels, things start to turn around.
November 11, 2011
I absolutely loved this feel good novel. It is the sweet story of Delia, her mother and a community that comes together. It has all of the things that make you feel good: a motherly neighbor, a town cook, a cranky old man that really has a soft side, a best friend and, of course, the awful boy next door, who turns out to not be so awful.
I can't wait to share this book with my daughters.
I can't wait to share this book with my daughters.
June 17, 2013
Great book. It truly shows how a community can help its neighbors! The main character is quite a gal! She just never gives up. A truly heartwarming story of friendships and the wonderful generosity of people helping one another.
September 15, 2013
Nice feel good story about a girl who begins to feel as if she is unlucky since her mother was struck by lightning, the house may get taken away and one of the people who started helping her suffers a broken leg in a fall. Children will relate to it!
May 12, 2014
I am giving this book 5 stars because it is the first book I have read based on a recommendation from my nephew Coen. It is special for that reason and because it is a sweet and touching story about hard times and good hearts.
July 26, 2012
This is a book about a community that comes to the aid of one of their more vulnerable residents. It will motivate you, and will restore your belief in humanity.
October 16, 2012
Amazing! What a refreshing book about a community that pulls to help a young girl and her mother who is in a comma. Just a feel good kind a book!
February 25, 2013
Sweet feel-good story. Nice read for the road this weekend!
October 12, 2013
The is a sweet early reader book. Great for 8-10 year olds. A a southern take on "Pollyanna" by Eleanor Porter, with wonderfully written characters.
May 6, 2014
A wonderful story!
January 20, 2012
sometimes you just need a good happy Pollyanna tale.
May 16, 2012
What a great novella about love, friendship and small towns. Perfect for summer.
August 19, 2017
A lively coming-of-age story with a heroine -- teenaged Delia -- who is flawed, courageous, humble, and kind, this book is delightful to read. It doesn't take long to read, so I enjoyed slowing down to savor some of the passages, reading them over and again and developing a fuller character in my mind's eye each time. Because I work with many young adults, I imagined many of them facing similar challenges. With this in mind, I cheered Delia on even more as she met each hurdle with grit and creativity. For me, this is a lesson about character, moral courage, and compassion.
October 20, 2019
This was a gift from my 11 year old reading buddy. She read it and instantly requested her mother get me a copy. I absolutely enjoyed this. How young people learn to work together and ask for help when times are tough. Learning to know you are not along and people will gather and lend strength when need and asked for.
January 23, 2018
Per Samantha "not the best we've ever read, but pretty close."
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