Wow! This awesome JF book has everything! Themes embedded within the story include: bullies, friendship, racial relations, Depression era USA, influenza, death of a parent, manners, the importance of reading, communion with nature, the dynamics of family, the true nature of religion, etc. Charlotte Anne (Charlie Anne) prayed for more babies. Her prayers were answered, but with the third baby, her mother and baby sister both die. Charlie Anne visits the grave, talks to her mother there and draws comfort and advice from her. Her mother's cousin comes to take care of the family. Charlie Anne does not want Mirabel to take her mother's place. Her Dad decides to go north to work on the road project begun by President Roosevelt. Mirabel manages the home and insists on Charlie Anne's adherence to her Book of Manners. Charlie Anne's friendship with her new neighbor, Phoebe, effects changes throughout the community.
" We do not need to be defined by our circumstances. We can make things, different. We can change things, even climb right up and out of the boxes that some people want to put us in...But we have to work hard..."
"Just because means I'm a girl...two things at once...that's what you do."
"Prayers are powerful things.
"Whatever you are. Be noble.
Whatever you do. Do well
Whenever you speak. Speak kindly."
"Bring joy wherever you dwell."
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