In the spring of 1948, twelve-year-old Addie Mills, against her father's initial objections, visits and befriends actress Constance Payne and learns from her the importance of dreams
The Addie Mills books are so charming simply for their nostalgia and simple yet thoughtful plot lines.
This story is set during Easter in 1948 when Addie is twelve years old. Actress Constance Payne, an actress formerly from Clear River, has returned to her family home from New York City. Addie befriends Constance and even gets her to hand out the awards at the Easter style show Addie and her friends are entering. It soon becomes evident that Constance is an alcoholic, causing many townspeople to take a dislike to her. Addie, of course, is not one to let a friend down, and learns an importance lesson in forgiveness and being there for others.
Firm believer that just because I missed a children's/YA book when I was that age, there is no reason why I shouldn't enjoy it now. LONGtime fan of THWACT, I was delighted to discover there is a small series of Addie books. Not sure if it's the Midwestern roots, simpler (though not always better) times or plain speak of the authoress' voice, but I find the stories charming and nostalgic with a twist of aspiring artist panasche and a foundation of classic coming-of-age tale (and from a girl's perspective, no less). The relationships in the story mirror the complexity of my personal relationships (I think many people could relate), though Addie benefits from the more mature perspective of Ms. Rock, I suspect. Looking forward to reading and enjoying the other two.
I was really into The House Without a Christmas Tree when I was in middle school. I read that book repeatedly. This book has the same characters: spunky Addie, sweet and loving Grandma, Addie's grumpy dad. I had never read this one before or even seen it until I got it for free after the Spring '09 Friends of the Library book sale.
This is the Easter book, complete with themes of forgiveness, rebirth, loving thy neighbor and all of that. It's not overly religious, but the folks do go to church.
I read it in an hour or so while sitting in a hot bath.
Addie Mills is excited to meet Constance Payne, a former resident of Clear River, Nebraska, who has returned to town to sell her family home. Constance has been working as an actress in New York City and appears to have an exciting, glamorous life....however, the truth is another reality. "A Dream for Addie" is the third book of the Addie series. This novel was made into a television series called "The Easter Promise".