Whys and Wherefores of Littabelle Lee

by Vera Cleaver

When adversity makes sixteen-year-old Littabelle sole support of her two aged grandparents, her desperate situation teaches her about law, human nature, and her future.

Genres: Young Adult

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

After her first book, The Nurse's Dilemma (1966), most of her magazine articles and 16 novels for children were written with her husband, Bill.

Together, they produced more than a dozen novels for young adults. Their subject matter reveals a particular interest in mountain children who have both physical and mental problems. The Cleavers were three times nominated for the National Book Award, and their novels made multiple appearances on the American Library Associations list of "Notable Books." Settings often mirror the Cleavers' place of residence.

After Bill's death, Vera Cleaver wrote Sugar Blues (1984) and Sweetly Sings the Donkey (1985).

Reviews

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I am cleaning off bookshelves and come across this Cleaver book. As a passionate fan of Where the Lilies Bloom as a kid I could not pass on this novel. I find this pair of writers so odd and affecting, their voice has stayed with me all these years. It carried through in this book as well, but to a lesser extent. I have always admired ya writers who respect their young audience and don't dumb it down for them. Salute.

[N. Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such good clear writing. I really loved this book, and while it's for kids I guess, it deals with some gritty issues from child birth to the legal system and caring for one's own parents.