With a pleasant cadence and the steady pace of a metronome, Bonners's brief novel about the difficult adjustments families must sometimes make may strike a chord with young readers—especially music lovers. Yet the story's development seems less polished than in her previous novels (Edwina Victorious; The Silver Balloon).
When their mother moves them to a new house three hours away, young Annie and her baby brother try to make the most of their new environment and Annie tries not to miss her favorite uncle too much. She willingly helps out as much as she can (and is actually saddled with much responsibility), hoping to relieve some of the sadness and stress that seem to be weighing on her mother as she frets over finances and the start of a new job. Before long, Annie discovers that the best thing by far about her new neighborhood is the piano music that wafts from the home of an older neighbor named Mrs. Bergstrom each evening. The girl and the pianist strike up an unlikely friendship that eventually leads to Annie fulfilling a musical dream. Throughout, Bonners introduces some common family concerns. However, readers may wish for more detail about the absence of Annie's father (explained in a vague paragraph early on) and how she is coping without him, as well as more satisfying, fleshed-out relationships among the characters here. Ages 7-10. (Oct.)
