What do you think?
Rate this book
Not Lucille
It’s 1931, and children should be seen and not heard.
Ten-year-old Lucy Contento can’t help but be seen and heard. And she’s always in trouble for it. She talks too much. She’s impulsive. She writes with the wrong hand. Her parents would be mad enough knowing she routinely earns afterschool detentions. They’d be furious if they found out she’s been sneaking onto the campus of the nearby Trenton Academy for the Deaf. But there, Lucy has met Florence, a lonely and profoundly deaf girl her own age. Florence doesn’t mind Lucy’s flaws. Though Florence can’t speak, she has a unique way of communicating. If Lucy can figure out how to learn Florence’s special language, the two could be friends.
Lucy devises a plan, but it’s going to cost a whopping seven dollars and ninety-eight cents—more money than she’s got. She can’t tell her parents why she wants the funds without revealing she’s been visiting Florence. Besides, her parents don’t have a penny to spare. Her father has been out of work for months. And nobody else in the Contento family has an income. Or do they? Lucy soon discovers she’s not the only member of her family hiding something. Can she get the money she needs while keeping everyone’s secrets? Or will her scheming land her in the biggest trouble of her life?
In this story of friendship and belonging, a young girl navigates prejudice, punishment, and identity while establishing her voice in a world that often tries to keep her silent.
Ten-year-old Lucy Contento can’t help but be seen and heard. And she’s always in trouble for it. She talks too much. She’s impulsive. She writes with the wrong hand. Her parents would be mad enough knowing she routinely earns afterschool detentions. They’d be furious if they found out she’s been sneaking onto the campus of the nearby Trenton Academy for the Deaf. But there, Lucy has met Florence, a lonely and profoundly deaf girl her own age. Florence doesn’t mind Lucy’s flaws. Though Florence can’t speak, she has a unique way of communicating. If Lucy can figure out how to learn Florence’s special language, the two could be friends.
Lucy devises a plan, but it’s going to cost a whopping seven dollars and ninety-eight cents—more money than she’s got. She can’t tell her parents why she wants the funds without revealing she’s been visiting Florence. Besides, her parents don’t have a penny to spare. Her father has been out of work for months. And nobody else in the Contento family has an income. Or do they? Lucy soon discovers she’s not the only member of her family hiding something. Can she get the money she needs while keeping everyone’s secrets? Or will her scheming land her in the biggest trouble of her life?
In this story of friendship and belonging, a young girl navigates prejudice, punishment, and identity while establishing her voice in a world that often tries to keep her silent.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
254 pages, Unknown Binding
Published June 24, 2025
7 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Mike Steele
1 book68 followersMike Steele is an elementary school librarian and children’s playwright with eight plays published and licensed for production. Not Lucille is his debut middle-grade novel. In his spare time, he likes to attend musicals, create mixed-media artwork, and win prizes from claw machines. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his tabby cats, Karen and Sox. If you spot him in the wild, he usually has a bubble tea in one of his hands.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 17, 2025
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A hyperkinetic left handed Italian American girl is having trouble at school, and makes friends with a deaf girl.
A bit over wrought.
A hyperkinetic left handed Italian American girl is having trouble at school, and makes friends with a deaf girl.
A bit over wrought.
August 28, 2025
10-year-old Lucy Contento is thrilled for the first day of fifth grade and rushes out early, eager to check out the view from her new classroom. Both Lucy and her best friend, Ann Salvatore, find themselves in Miss Gillingham's class, the teacher with the strictest reputation at school. Ann takes the news in stride, but Lucy, who often finds herself in trouble, dreads the possibility of drawing Miss Gillingham's attention. However, just as Lucy anticipated, everything goes wrong. She forgets to raise her hand, wiggles in her seat, writes with her left hand not her right, and gets caught daydreaming, landing herself in afterschool detention.
After serving her detention, Lucy decides to take a shortcut through the nearby Trenton Academy for the Deaf to quickly meet up with her friends. However, she gets sidetracked when she notices a girl sitting alone in a room. Curious about the girl, Lucy starts sneaking onto the campus, even resorting to telling lies to cover up her trespassing. Lucy soon starts meeting daily with Florence, a lonely girl her age. Florence teaches Lucy about lip reading and a few signs and even shares how frustrated she is about not being able to speak as clearly as she wants. Lucy really hopes to be able to learn sign language to communicate with Florence better, she even tries to locate a dictionary to learn sign language faster, but her family doesn't have the funds for her to spend on a book. Can Lucy manage to juggle all her secrets while keeping her daily visits with Florence hidden from her parents and friends?
Lucy is a sweet girl who despite her best intentions tends to get in trouble in Miss Gillingham's class. She tries hard to sit quietly and to remember to use her right hand when she's writing. Her teacher has an extensive list of rules for what to do and what not to do in her class, but not all of Lucy's mishaps are her fault. Miss Gillingham insists on calling her Lucille instead of her given name, Lucy. Concetta's constant cheating off her paper also makes Lucy speak out of turn. It's no wonder that her frustration at school begins to bubble up to the surface leading her to an unfortunate outburst.
Lucy's home life adds to her discomfort. Her family recently had to downsize to a place half the size of their previous rental. She now shares a room with her younger brother, and there's stress at home since her dad lost his job, with everyone trying to save money to cover the rent. Lucy's home life was one of the highlights of reading the story for me. I love how the emphasis is on the family having meals together, going to church and watching television together. How everyone tries to pitch in, despite their father's desires for them to not give up on their education. Lucy's parents have strong morals and try to instill them in their children.
Florence is such a great friend to Lucy, always patient and kind while teaching her how to sign. She even motivates Lucy to try writing with her right hand. Their interactions remind me so much of my child's early kindergarten days. My child started out ambidextrous, easily switching between their right and left hand for most tasks, but unlike Lucy, they were encouraged to choose a hand for writing not told that they had to write with their right hand only. How frustrating that must be.
I also empathize with Florence’s struggle over whether to focus solely on learning American Sign Language (ASL) or to pursue spoken language as well. It’s a deeply personal and complex choice. I truly appreciate that the author worked with sensitivity readers to ensure Lucy’s deaf representation was portrayed with care and authenticity. Overall, Not Lucille is a beautiful story about a lesser-known time period. The characters read realistic, and the story is both informative while entertaining. Finally, I really like stories that surprise me, and I loved how Miss Gillingham finally began to show her compassion for teaching and true desire to help her students to be successful.
** A heartfelt thank you to Mike Steele for reaching out me about the possibility of a review and for generously providing me with an e-book.
After serving her detention, Lucy decides to take a shortcut through the nearby Trenton Academy for the Deaf to quickly meet up with her friends. However, she gets sidetracked when she notices a girl sitting alone in a room. Curious about the girl, Lucy starts sneaking onto the campus, even resorting to telling lies to cover up her trespassing. Lucy soon starts meeting daily with Florence, a lonely girl her age. Florence teaches Lucy about lip reading and a few signs and even shares how frustrated she is about not being able to speak as clearly as she wants. Lucy really hopes to be able to learn sign language to communicate with Florence better, she even tries to locate a dictionary to learn sign language faster, but her family doesn't have the funds for her to spend on a book. Can Lucy manage to juggle all her secrets while keeping her daily visits with Florence hidden from her parents and friends?
Lucy is a sweet girl who despite her best intentions tends to get in trouble in Miss Gillingham's class. She tries hard to sit quietly and to remember to use her right hand when she's writing. Her teacher has an extensive list of rules for what to do and what not to do in her class, but not all of Lucy's mishaps are her fault. Miss Gillingham insists on calling her Lucille instead of her given name, Lucy. Concetta's constant cheating off her paper also makes Lucy speak out of turn. It's no wonder that her frustration at school begins to bubble up to the surface leading her to an unfortunate outburst.
Lucy's home life adds to her discomfort. Her family recently had to downsize to a place half the size of their previous rental. She now shares a room with her younger brother, and there's stress at home since her dad lost his job, with everyone trying to save money to cover the rent. Lucy's home life was one of the highlights of reading the story for me. I love how the emphasis is on the family having meals together, going to church and watching television together. How everyone tries to pitch in, despite their father's desires for them to not give up on their education. Lucy's parents have strong morals and try to instill them in their children.
Florence is such a great friend to Lucy, always patient and kind while teaching her how to sign. She even motivates Lucy to try writing with her right hand. Their interactions remind me so much of my child's early kindergarten days. My child started out ambidextrous, easily switching between their right and left hand for most tasks, but unlike Lucy, they were encouraged to choose a hand for writing not told that they had to write with their right hand only. How frustrating that must be.
I also empathize with Florence’s struggle over whether to focus solely on learning American Sign Language (ASL) or to pursue spoken language as well. It’s a deeply personal and complex choice. I truly appreciate that the author worked with sensitivity readers to ensure Lucy’s deaf representation was portrayed with care and authenticity. Overall, Not Lucille is a beautiful story about a lesser-known time period. The characters read realistic, and the story is both informative while entertaining. Finally, I really like stories that surprise me, and I loved how Miss Gillingham finally began to show her compassion for teaching and true desire to help her students to be successful.
** A heartfelt thank you to Mike Steele for reaching out me about the possibility of a review and for generously providing me with an e-book.
June 24, 2025
Review originally published on my blog,
Dragon Bite Books & Crafts
.
I was contacted by author, playwright, and educator Mike Steele about reading and reviewing, Not Lucille, his first prose novel, set in Trenton, NJ in 1931 and ’32. The story’s protagonist and POV character — Lucy — is a young, red-headed, Italian-American girl who has trouble sitting still, staying silent, listening, and writing with her right hand (she’s naturally left-handed, and it is later suggested that she has ADHD). Lucy’s impulsiveness tempts her into the enclosed campus of the local school for the deaf. There she strikes up a friendship with Florence, one of the deaf students. Florence is profoundly deaf and doesn’t speak, but she is a talented artist, and she and Lucy can communicate through passed notes, drawings, and gestures, including — as Lucy learns it — sign language.
Florence is fairly isolated in her silence. Her family has not learned sign language, and the students of the school are discouraged from using it — though they do use the language among themselves. But Lucy genuinely enjoys Florence’s company — more even than playing kick-the-can with her friends after school — and she is intent on maintaining and growing their friendship, even if she has to hide in the closet when anyone else comes into the basement classroom where she and Florence meet.
At school, Lucy is introduced to the wonder of dictionaries and decides that she wants a sign language dictionary so that she can better communicate with Florence. But dictionaries are expensive, and because she isn’t supposed to have friends from the enclosed campus, she can’t ask anyone for one. She’ll have to find the money on her own. But Lucy’s family, like many during the Great Depression and especially immigrant families, is poor, and her parents struggle to find work and to put food on the table. While her father searches for legitimate work at one of the factories or shops in Chambersburg, others in her family find more creative and illicit and secret means to make ends meet, making the reader think about what we keep secret and why, what feels illicit but maybe should not be.
Steele is a talented writer. I was struck by the technical and creative skill with which he painted the family and families and scenes of Chambersburg, avoiding the traps that prose writers — and especially new prose writers — oft stumble into. That skill shows up not just in the prose but also in the pacing and in the way that the actions and inactions and motivations of various characters build a wider theme for the story that is becoming even more visible on a second reading.
I am pleased to add this title to several lists of diverse representation that I curate on Goodreads and that I periodically publish on my social media.
Not Lucille struck a personal note for me. My great-grandparents immigrated from Italy to the US in the 1900s and 1930s. (See my blog for the extended story.)
Though the experiences of Lucille and her family probably differ in many ways from the experiences of my great-grandparents, Not Lucille still offered me a chance to hear a story about the Italian American experience in the early 1930s as the country reeled from the crash and Italian immigrants were discriminated against – one I might have been able to hear from my great-grandmother or that my grandfather might have heard from his parents and their friends as he grew up – although my family as far as I can tell was never in Trenton, NJ.
I was contacted by author, playwright, and educator Mike Steele about reading and reviewing, Not Lucille, his first prose novel, set in Trenton, NJ in 1931 and ’32. The story’s protagonist and POV character — Lucy — is a young, red-headed, Italian-American girl who has trouble sitting still, staying silent, listening, and writing with her right hand (she’s naturally left-handed, and it is later suggested that she has ADHD). Lucy’s impulsiveness tempts her into the enclosed campus of the local school for the deaf. There she strikes up a friendship with Florence, one of the deaf students. Florence is profoundly deaf and doesn’t speak, but she is a talented artist, and she and Lucy can communicate through passed notes, drawings, and gestures, including — as Lucy learns it — sign language.
Florence is fairly isolated in her silence. Her family has not learned sign language, and the students of the school are discouraged from using it — though they do use the language among themselves. But Lucy genuinely enjoys Florence’s company — more even than playing kick-the-can with her friends after school — and she is intent on maintaining and growing their friendship, even if she has to hide in the closet when anyone else comes into the basement classroom where she and Florence meet.
At school, Lucy is introduced to the wonder of dictionaries and decides that she wants a sign language dictionary so that she can better communicate with Florence. But dictionaries are expensive, and because she isn’t supposed to have friends from the enclosed campus, she can’t ask anyone for one. She’ll have to find the money on her own. But Lucy’s family, like many during the Great Depression and especially immigrant families, is poor, and her parents struggle to find work and to put food on the table. While her father searches for legitimate work at one of the factories or shops in Chambersburg, others in her family find more creative and illicit and secret means to make ends meet, making the reader think about what we keep secret and why, what feels illicit but maybe should not be.
Steele is a talented writer. I was struck by the technical and creative skill with which he painted the family and families and scenes of Chambersburg, avoiding the traps that prose writers — and especially new prose writers — oft stumble into. That skill shows up not just in the prose but also in the pacing and in the way that the actions and inactions and motivations of various characters build a wider theme for the story that is becoming even more visible on a second reading.
I am pleased to add this title to several lists of diverse representation that I curate on Goodreads and that I periodically publish on my social media.
Not Lucille struck a personal note for me. My great-grandparents immigrated from Italy to the US in the 1900s and 1930s. (See my blog for the extended story.)
Though the experiences of Lucille and her family probably differ in many ways from the experiences of my great-grandparents, Not Lucille still offered me a chance to hear a story about the Italian American experience in the early 1930s as the country reeled from the crash and Italian immigrants were discriminated against – one I might have been able to hear from my great-grandmother or that my grandfather might have heard from his parents and their friends as he grew up – although my family as far as I can tell was never in Trenton, NJ.
November 2, 2025
Author Mike Steele handles the delicate balance between fact and fiction in his debut MG historical novel adroitly, painting an immersive picture of Depression Era Trenton, NJ, without ever getting bogged down in lengthy descriptions or explanations. An accomplished playwright, Steele understands the importance of creating three-dimensional characters and knows how to motivate them. He understands how to integrate issues like prejudice and neurodivergence into the lives of those characters without collapsing their entire identities around them. This level of craft is impressive for any writer, but doubly so for a debut author.
Steele’s prose is an interesting mixture of rich and spare. Not a word, interaction, reaction or inner monologue is wasted, yet Lucy’s world emerges in vivid detail. Mrs. Contento takes on a new job while performing the work of a traditional stay-at-home wife, and prideful Mr. Contento shows a moving vulnerability with his only daughter. Even though he’s a minor character, Lucy’s little brother, Johnny (AKA the Creature), is convincing, invasive, annoying and touching in turns, and Lucy’s dislike of him gradually softens into a kind of reluctant endearment. The difficulties of living with undiagnosed neurodivergence, friendship squabbles, anti-immigrant and anti-Deaf prejudice, loneliness, misunderstandings, financial stress and even serious family fights are all integral parts of Lucy’s world. Steele respects his readers’ ability to handle difficult subjects. Throughout, the strength of the Contento’s bonds with each other holds fast even when they are strained. (And can I just say that I want to be invited to their house for Christmas every year?)
Although Lucy’s ADHD is re-labeled hyperkinetic disorder for historical accuracy, her struggles are immediately recognizable for contemporary readers. Treatment options may not have existed in Lucy’s day, but Miss Gillingham, Lucy’s arch-nemesis, is the one who explains to the Contentos that Lucy’s brain works differently than those of other students. As she begins to understand herself, Lucy moves from feeling scapegoated and picked on to being more motivated to take accountability for her actions. Yet she remains true to herself, liking herself for exactly who she is. Lucy’s in-the-now thoughts lend an urgent immediacy to the story, and her insatiable curiosity makes the sometimes grim world of 1930s Trenton shine.
Notes at the end of the book give a fuller historical context for young readers and teachers looking to integrate fiction into the social studies curriculum. Steele is a gifted writer, and I’ll be following his career with great interest.
Highly recommended for middle-grade readers who love historical fiction, ADHD readers looking for an accessible writing style, teachers looking to incorporate more fiction into the classroom, and caregivers looking for a good read-aloud book. Ages 8-12. (Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Steele’s prose is an interesting mixture of rich and spare. Not a word, interaction, reaction or inner monologue is wasted, yet Lucy’s world emerges in vivid detail. Mrs. Contento takes on a new job while performing the work of a traditional stay-at-home wife, and prideful Mr. Contento shows a moving vulnerability with his only daughter. Even though he’s a minor character, Lucy’s little brother, Johnny (AKA the Creature), is convincing, invasive, annoying and touching in turns, and Lucy’s dislike of him gradually softens into a kind of reluctant endearment. The difficulties of living with undiagnosed neurodivergence, friendship squabbles, anti-immigrant and anti-Deaf prejudice, loneliness, misunderstandings, financial stress and even serious family fights are all integral parts of Lucy’s world. Steele respects his readers’ ability to handle difficult subjects. Throughout, the strength of the Contento’s bonds with each other holds fast even when they are strained. (And can I just say that I want to be invited to their house for Christmas every year?)
Although Lucy’s ADHD is re-labeled hyperkinetic disorder for historical accuracy, her struggles are immediately recognizable for contemporary readers. Treatment options may not have existed in Lucy’s day, but Miss Gillingham, Lucy’s arch-nemesis, is the one who explains to the Contentos that Lucy’s brain works differently than those of other students. As she begins to understand herself, Lucy moves from feeling scapegoated and picked on to being more motivated to take accountability for her actions. Yet she remains true to herself, liking herself for exactly who she is. Lucy’s in-the-now thoughts lend an urgent immediacy to the story, and her insatiable curiosity makes the sometimes grim world of 1930s Trenton shine.
Notes at the end of the book give a fuller historical context for young readers and teachers looking to integrate fiction into the social studies curriculum. Steele is a gifted writer, and I’ll be following his career with great interest.
Highly recommended for middle-grade readers who love historical fiction, ADHD readers looking for an accessible writing style, teachers looking to incorporate more fiction into the classroom, and caregivers looking for a good read-aloud book. Ages 8-12. (Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
July 11, 2025
This was a wonderfully written book that told a story of a spirited and often misunderstood young lady named Lucy (not Lucille!) who has all the best intentions but who often finds herself in heaps of trouble. It was interesting to note the many historical references highlighted in such a vibrant and easy to understand manner.
The heroine is someone that everyone will root for. She embodies the spirit of so many kids (and adults!) who have all the best intentions but whose execution of them often goes, as the author notes, “awry.”
It’s hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this book! One of my favorite aspects was the use of language that was often thoughtful and nuanced. For example, at the end of chapter 1, it says, “For finally reaching the top, Lucy sure felt like she was on the bottom.” Lines like this are scattered throughout the text, and they’re both lovely and thoughtful. Another aspect I enjoyed were the numerous themes, some obvious and others more subtle. The exploration of how a girl like Lucy and her deaf friend Florence could come from two vastly different worlds, and both felt as if they were different and outsiders, would make any reader see the possibility of overcoming stereotypes and embracing unique “quirks” that make people special. There were also other wonderful nods to this theme, as when Italians and non Italians had to overcome prejudice to co-exist where possible, and where friends could learn to argue and get exasperated with each other (Ann and Lucy) but could, in the end, see past their differences.
The author also explored gender roles and stereotypes within families, and how often people must do the unexpected in order to survive. Mrs. Contento gracefully supported her husband while showing her intelligence and creativity in leading the family. Despite this family’s struggles, they all loved each other and encouraged each other, even when they disagreed with the choices that were often made (gambling, dropping out of school, etc.). That’s a realistic portrayal of family.
My favorite character, other than Lucy, was Miss Gillingham. Like all the other characters, she was misunderstood and surprising, a deeply caring woman under a rough facade.
In all, this book is an excellent historical fiction piece that people of all ages, not just middle school, will enjoy. It’s an unexpectedly funny and poignant work, and this is an author to be watched!
The heroine is someone that everyone will root for. She embodies the spirit of so many kids (and adults!) who have all the best intentions but whose execution of them often goes, as the author notes, “awry.”
It’s hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this book! One of my favorite aspects was the use of language that was often thoughtful and nuanced. For example, at the end of chapter 1, it says, “For finally reaching the top, Lucy sure felt like she was on the bottom.” Lines like this are scattered throughout the text, and they’re both lovely and thoughtful. Another aspect I enjoyed were the numerous themes, some obvious and others more subtle. The exploration of how a girl like Lucy and her deaf friend Florence could come from two vastly different worlds, and both felt as if they were different and outsiders, would make any reader see the possibility of overcoming stereotypes and embracing unique “quirks” that make people special. There were also other wonderful nods to this theme, as when Italians and non Italians had to overcome prejudice to co-exist where possible, and where friends could learn to argue and get exasperated with each other (Ann and Lucy) but could, in the end, see past their differences.
The author also explored gender roles and stereotypes within families, and how often people must do the unexpected in order to survive. Mrs. Contento gracefully supported her husband while showing her intelligence and creativity in leading the family. Despite this family’s struggles, they all loved each other and encouraged each other, even when they disagreed with the choices that were often made (gambling, dropping out of school, etc.). That’s a realistic portrayal of family.
My favorite character, other than Lucy, was Miss Gillingham. Like all the other characters, she was misunderstood and surprising, a deeply caring woman under a rough facade.
In all, this book is an excellent historical fiction piece that people of all ages, not just middle school, will enjoy. It’s an unexpectedly funny and poignant work, and this is an author to be watched!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2025
With heart, a little mischief, and quite a bit of family goodness, this tale lets readers sink a bit into the Great Depression.
Lucy (not Lucille as her awful teacher calls her) can't believe she ended up with the strictest 6th grade teacher...and that when she's only in the 5th. But having a teacher suddenly switch grades isn't the only difficult part of her life. Her father hasn't had a job for a few months, and while her family does have some savings, it's not clear it will hold until he lands another job. Her oldest brother is making things at home even rougher thanks to his disinterest in attending school. When Lucy finds an unexpected friend at the school for deaf children across the street, things take an interesting turn.
Lucille is an easy character to connect with. Despite taking place in 1931, Lucille's life comes across with enough familiarity for readers to understand her situation and problems. Her inability to sit still and struggles with the teacher are things readers from today can even understand. Still, the historical goodness comes through clearly as things such as the forbidden 'writing with the left hand' or 'children don't speak when adults are talking' reveal some attitudes of the time period. This different view of life is also seen in Lucy's friendship with a deaf girl. Lucy comes across as determined and kind, while holding quite a bit of spunk and attitude to let her rebellious nature, especially for that time frame, come through. So, she's a character to root for.
The tale rolls along smoothly with plenty of problems for Lucille to handle. The financial issues of the Great Depression come across clearly as well as the influence they had on life during those years. I was a little surprised to see her oldest brother continuing school at his age (most teens left high school around ages 14-15 at that time), but the family's attitude is inspiring on that front. Even Lucille's connection with her new friend adds goodness and plenty of food for thought on the social side of life. So, there's quite a bit of positive aspects to these pages.
Readers, who want to learn more about the time period, will find this an easy way to dive into life during those years. I especially see this as a nice book for homeschoolers to enjoy.
Lucy (not Lucille as her awful teacher calls her) can't believe she ended up with the strictest 6th grade teacher...and that when she's only in the 5th. But having a teacher suddenly switch grades isn't the only difficult part of her life. Her father hasn't had a job for a few months, and while her family does have some savings, it's not clear it will hold until he lands another job. Her oldest brother is making things at home even rougher thanks to his disinterest in attending school. When Lucy finds an unexpected friend at the school for deaf children across the street, things take an interesting turn.
Lucille is an easy character to connect with. Despite taking place in 1931, Lucille's life comes across with enough familiarity for readers to understand her situation and problems. Her inability to sit still and struggles with the teacher are things readers from today can even understand. Still, the historical goodness comes through clearly as things such as the forbidden 'writing with the left hand' or 'children don't speak when adults are talking' reveal some attitudes of the time period. This different view of life is also seen in Lucy's friendship with a deaf girl. Lucy comes across as determined and kind, while holding quite a bit of spunk and attitude to let her rebellious nature, especially for that time frame, come through. So, she's a character to root for.
The tale rolls along smoothly with plenty of problems for Lucille to handle. The financial issues of the Great Depression come across clearly as well as the influence they had on life during those years. I was a little surprised to see her oldest brother continuing school at his age (most teens left high school around ages 14-15 at that time), but the family's attitude is inspiring on that front. Even Lucille's connection with her new friend adds goodness and plenty of food for thought on the social side of life. So, there's quite a bit of positive aspects to these pages.
Readers, who want to learn more about the time period, will find this an easy way to dive into life during those years. I especially see this as a nice book for homeschoolers to enjoy.
December 20, 2025
I was first interested in reading this book because of the time period it takes place in. My parents, grandparents and in-laws all lived through the Great Depression and most of them were very resilient because of it. There's so much packed into this book though! It is not only a story about the Depression, and how it affected families as they had to struggle and make do, but how immigrants had to struggle even harder than people who had been born in this country. ( Very relevant today!) It is also about neurodivergency in a time when almost nothing was known about it. Then you have a left- handed child forced to write with her right hand because that's what most educators thought was best at the time. ( Having a left handed son and husband I was very interested in this). None of these things, as interesting as they are, are the main focus of our story. The main character, Lucy, ( not Lucille as her teacher insists upon calling her!) makes friends with a deaf girl after taking a shortcut through the grounds of the school for deaf students and seeing through a window a girl sitting in a classroom all alone drawing on a tablet. They become friends and Lucy learns American Sign Language from her new friend so that they can have conversations. A lot happens in the 236 pages of the story, but you find yourself completely absorbed and by the end you find realize you have learned some new tidbits of history while you were reading. I especially enjoyed the afterword because it kept me from spending a lot of time looking things up to satisfy my curiosity. I think this book is begging for a sequel , maybe told from Florence's point of view? I will be passing this book along to my neurodivergent great-niece.
July 27, 2025
Lucy was starting 5th grade, but it sure didn’t start off well. She never meant to get into trouble, but trouble always seemed to find her. One the first day, she gets classified as “disruptive” by the teacher and gets detention. Boy, what a way to get off on the wrong foot. On the way home, one building in particular intrigued her—the School for the Deaf. That’s when she meets a deaf girl named Florence, whom she has secret visits with. Soon, a friendship develops and Lucy tries to find a way to get an American Sign Language dictionary. Unfortunately, with her dad, an Italian immigrant, being out of work, money was tight, which sadden Lucy and frustrated the whole family
Lucy was certainly a fun and energetic girl. I liked how she was always thinking and curious about the world around her. She genuinely seemed to care and truly wanted to help.
Full of charm and heart, Lucy is able to better understand herself, her friends, and her family. Story shows that there’s more than one way to communicate and express yourself. A fun story about friendship, understanding, and learning new things. A good read!
Lucy was certainly a fun and energetic girl. I liked how she was always thinking and curious about the world around her. She genuinely seemed to care and truly wanted to help.
Full of charm and heart, Lucy is able to better understand herself, her friends, and her family. Story shows that there’s more than one way to communicate and express yourself. A fun story about friendship, understanding, and learning new things. A good read!
August 6, 2025
Poor Lucy Contento. She can't seem to control her impulsive behavior, blurting out in the classroom and doing things without thinking. When she's assigned to the rigid disciplinarian Miss Gillingham's Fifth Grade Class, it seems she's destined to spend every afternoon in after school detention, sitting with the teacher who insists on calling her Lucille and making her write with her right hand even though she's a Leftie. One afternoon she sneaks onto the campus of the Deefies, the school for the Deaf, and makes a friend of Florence, a profoundly deaf girl who doesn't mind Lucy's flaws. From there, the story of friendship and acceptance blooms. Lucy learns to advocate for both herself and for Florence as she comes to terms with the quirks that everyone has, even the straight-laced Miss Gillingham and her grumpy neighbor Mrs. Ricci. This is a sweet and empowering book that will melt your heart and give you hope. The author provides an afterword that helps today’s readers understand how very different the world was in the 1930s.
July 14, 2025
Not Lucille by Mike Smith is a historical children's fictional book about Lucille who is a young girl in Trenton, NJ in the very early 1930's. Lucille has trouble sitting still and doing her work in school, she also can not write very well with her right hand, which she is naturally left handed. Lucille gets enrolled at a school for deaf students and meets her friend Florence who is a wonderful artist. Lucille even learns sign language so she can talk to her new friend! I love the author's writing style in this book and he does a great job with investing the readers in the friendship between Lucille and Florence. This book brings up the important message of having Neurodivergent or different thinking and behaving children and there are so many of these adorable and lovely children in the world, that I am pleased to see the book written for them.
July 2, 2025
I want to highly recommend this new publication by Mike Steele. I just finished reading it and it is one of the best books I have ever read. The historical fiction aspect taking place in NJ was very interesting, especially with the historical notes at the end. The characters came to life and I really became invested in the outcome. Not Lucille is so well written, it was worth the wait!
July 13, 2025
Loved this book! Being from the area this story takes place, it gave me a peak Into how Trenton was in my grandmothers day. I love the story, love Lucille, and I can’t wait to share this with my daughter when she’s older :)
August 8, 2025
Entertaining, I really enjoyed going on Lucy's journey, and I learned a bit more about an area I was born and raised. I think this a great book for any reader who wants to get into a different perspective
September 7, 2025
This is not necessarily the type of book I read.
It came to my attention at a book signing event. I enjoyed it because it reminded me of stories told by my parents about the depression.
It was interesting and well paced and I learned a few things in the process.
It came to my attention at a book signing event. I enjoyed it because it reminded me of stories told by my parents about the depression.
It was interesting and well paced and I learned a few things in the process.
September 1, 2025
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. I thought the book was really good. I am a big fan of historical fiction.
January 3, 2025
This was such an empowering delight of a book! Neurodivergent readers will see themselves in Lucy, and fans of Anne of Green Gables will enjoy following her journey. A very tender, thoughtful story of two girls with different divergences finding community in each other, and learning to speak up for their learning needs.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews