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Newbery Honor medalist Ann M. Martin's "unforgettable" (Booklist, starred) family story, now in paperback

"In 1963, Ellie's mother, Doris Day Dingman, was crowned the Bosetti Beauty at Mr. Bosetti's supermarket, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and the Dingmans began to fall apart." So begins 11-yr-old Eleanor Roosevelt Dingman's story. Ellie, who is about to start 6th grade in the small town of Spectacle, NY, is the oldest child in her off-center family. Her father works construction jobs, while her mother, Doris, has only one dream - to become a rich and famous actress. But when that dream leads to Doris's abandonment of the family, it is Ellie who is called upon to take charge.

Grade 4-7 - Eleven-year old Eleanor "Ellie" Roosevelt Dingman is barely keeping her family intact in this novel by Ann M. Martin (Scholastic, 2004). Set in 1963 in the small town of Spectacle, NY, Ellie's mother, Doris Day Dingman, is completely self-absorbed, almost to the point of neglecting her three children. Doris, as the children are required to call her, would much rather be a model or a famous movie star than a mother, and finally abandons her family to move to New York City in order to pursue her dreams. Ellie assumes full responsibility for caring for her younger siblings and the household since her father works long hours. These burdens eventually put too much pressure on Ellie, especially when she is also trying to deal with her own troubles of bullies at school, random acts of prejudice against her neighbors, and sadness over the assassination of President Kennedy. By the novel's end, Ellie learns that her family, her neighborhood, and her friends do not have to look like everyone else's in order to be acceptable. Tony Award-winner Judy Kaye narrates the audiobook masterfully with a range of voices suited to each of the many characters and their personalities. Listeners will be captivated by this family saga which unfolds at a perfect pace and with a tone that matches the poignancy of the plot. Sure to be popular with girls in their tweens, this is a good choice for school and public libraries. - Casey Rondini, Hartford Public Library, CT
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