Dianna Dorisi Winget

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

What a good book! I went into it expecting a book with nothing special to offer, that thought it was offering the world. Instead I found a sweet, poignant tale of family, loss, and love (familial love, not romantic love - I was worried about that when I read the synopsis!), and all the different types of "home." I enjoyed myself greatly while reading the entire book, and then after finishing it read back through to watch the show more development of a certain relationship throughout the book. Which one, you ask? It doesn't really matter; they're all great. The particular one I wanted to retrace was between Poppy and Trey, but it could have just as easily been between Poppy and pretty much any other main character, or even just between two other main characters with no Poppy involved.

You see, this is a book about relationships. Not even just Poppy's relationships, though those often take center stage, but all sorts relationships. The relationships between Poppy and Lizzie, Lizzie and her unseen dad (Lizzie's parents recently got divorced), Trey and Poppy, Poppy and Grandma Beth - honestly, it goes on and on. And it's beautiful.

Now, Poppy was a great if sometimes infuriating character. She wandered away way too often for someone under a modified version of witness protection. To be fair, though, she had a ton on her plate so I think she just kind of didn't have room in her head to worry about the robber coming after her. When your grandmother/legal guardian is in the hospital because she keeps having strokes and you're only out of the Children's Center because you are a witness from a murder case . . . well, either you're going to crack with stress or you're going to kind of ignore one of the stressing factors. So while I don't love her to pieces, I do love her just a little bit. Because she went through so much, and was so brave, and - well, I don't know. I guess that kind of sums it up.

The story is both sad and sweet, and its tale of loss is offset by a thread of love and friendships. It's the kind of book that makes you give a happy sigh as you put it down, and makes you reread it every few years if you spot it on a library shelf. I don't know if I'd want to own it, because it's not quite that good, but I'll definitely reread it down the road. show less

A Smidgen of Sky is one of those books that hook you almost from the first word. Immediately, I could hear Piper Lee’s southern voice in my ear as she tells me her story. Piper Lee is devoted to her daddy; a true daddy’s girl. In her heart, she refuses to believe he is gone, but in her head, she knows it’s true, but won’t allow herself to grieve. She is not ready for a new daddy when her real daddy just needs to find his way home.

I loved the scene where Piper Lee knows she’s not show more allowed to swim out to a rock island in the lake. She goes to the lake with Ben and Ginger—but without mama. Before they left for the beach, Piper had a row with her mama. She is now in a defiant mood and decides to attempt the swim. The distance turns out to be farther than Piper had envisioned. She barely made it to the rock and must now immediately return to shore. Before she can, Ben spots her and begins to swim towards Piper. Once they are back on the beach blanket, Ben sits quietly next to her. They have a tender, unexpected moment. Piper wants to ask Ben to take her to an air show but is reluctant to talk to him, begging mama to ask for her. Mama refuses. Ben knows this and brings up the airshow, as the two sat on the beach blanket recovering from the long swim to the island.

Ginger and Piper Lee may be the same age, but they are two opposites. Ginger’s ambition is to become a cheerleader. Piper Lee wants to learn to fly a plane. Ginger is a girly-girl, while Piper is a tomboy. They join forces to search for Ginger’s mother, who left shortly after Ginger was born. Problem is, each girl has a different motive for finding the elusive Tina. Ginger wants to talk to the mother that left her to her father when she was a young infant and never returned. Piper is hoping the return of Tina will mean Ginger’s family is reunited, then she and mama can return to their lives before mama meat Ben.

Miss Claudia is Piper’s confidant and friend. She lives in the apartment across from Piper Lee and is genuine southern lady. Piper Lee checks on the older woman, who in turn, keeps an eye on Piper Lee for her mama. Miss Claudia helps Piper Lee out of a huge jam, gives her wonderful advice, and delicious peach cobbler, but most importantly, she listens to Piper Lee and hears every word the young girl speaks. Piper Lee is a lucky girl. She has several people who care for her, look out for her, and listens to her. Sometimes Piper Lee forgets this blessing, but then, what kid doesn’t.
The writing is wonderfully crisp. Each character has a distinctive voice that is clear from the moment they first speak. This is Ms. Winget’s debut and I have not read any debut that is better than A Smidgen in The Sky.

Kids will get not only a rollicking story; they will get a glimpse of most of their parent’s youthful days. Ms. Winget touches on several subjects, including loss and grief, blended families, Internet predators, single parenting, and hostage situations. A Smidgen of Sky is also a coming-of-age story for Ginger and Piper Lee. Book clubs would enjoy all the available topics for discuss. Most importantly, A Smidgen of Sky is the perfect book for kids looking to read a family drama that is unique, but stays grounded in this world.

originally published on Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com
use the search bar on the far right side bar on the Home page to find this and other review. Thanks! show less

This is a simple, straightforward middle grade book about Poppy, whose only family is her grandmother; a grandmother who has a stroke and can no longer care for Poppy - at least temporarily. But when Poppy witnesses a heinous crime, for her own safety she is taken in by a police detective and his mother until the criminal is caught. The girl finds some solace with a mildly rebellious new friend, and a dog at an animal shelter. (The cover of the book would lead one to believe the dog is a show more major part of the story - but he's really just an interesting side-tale, with minimal relevance to the main plot.) Though the book had a simple plot, Poppy was a well drawn character I cared about, and I did shed a few tears towards the end of the book. show less

A Million Ways Home
Poppy Parker ends up in a children’s home after her Grandma and guardian has a stroke, is in the hospital, then a nursing home. While she is going to see her, Poppy witnesses a crime. The police officer protects her by placing her at his Mom’s house. While she is longing for her Grandma and the life they had, she is making new friends, and planning to spring Grandma from the home. Things don’t go the way she had hoped, but the criminal is caught in a nail-biting show more scene. Will she be OK even if her life is different than she thought? This is a sweet story with laughs and a few tears.
Literary Merit: Very Good
Characterization: Very Good
Audience: Upper Elementary, Junior High
Recommended: Yes show less