A Tiny Piece of Sky

Colloquial omniscient narration and entertaining letters between sisters immerse readers in a spirited heroine's mind and the complexities of 1939 small-town life. Ten-year-old Frankie Baum hates being a "Number Three." Her oldest sister, Elizabeth, can do no wrong, while Frankie's middle sister and best friend, Joan, gets to spend the summer on their aunt's farm. Meanwhile, Frankie is stuck working in the kitchen at her father's new restaurant. Unbeknownst to Mr. Baum, the Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce president is spreading a rumor that he is a Nazi sympathizer and possible spy. Hoping to rise above her Number Three status, Frankie tries to defend her father's innocence, but her skeptical nature makes her question everything. Stout (the Penelope Crumb series) was inspired by her family's past for this foray into historical fiction, which includes several memorable characters. Through Frankie's thoughtful insights, Stout addresses injustices such as racism and xenophobia without turning didactic ("What a frightening thing for her to realize, that what some people believed could be so cruel, and could be so wrong"), and the conclusion is a realistic mix of bittersweet and heartwarming. Ages 9%E2%80%9312. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary Agency. (Jan.)