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Title: A Tiny Piece of Sky
Author: Shawn K. Stout
Narrator: Tara Sands, Shawn K. Stout
Format: Unabridged
Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
Language: English
Release date: 01-19-16
Publisher: Listening Library
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes
Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10
Publisher's Summary:
The summer story of three sisters, one restaurant, and a (possible) German spy
World War II is coming in Europe. At least that's what Frankie Baum heard on the radio. But from her small town in Maryland, in the wilting summer heat of 1939, the war is a world away.
Besides, there are too many other things to think about: first that Frankie's father up and bought a restaurant without telling anyone, and now she has to help in the kitchen, peeling potatoes and washing dishes, when she'd rather be racing to Wexler's Five and Dime on her skates. Plus her favorite sister, Joanie Baloney, is away for the summer and hasn't been answering any of Frankie's letters.
But when some people in town start accusing her father of being a German spy, all of a sudden the war arrives at Frankie's feet, and she can think of nothing else.
Could the rumors be true? Frankie has to do some spying of her own to try to figure out her father's secrets and clear his good name. What she discovers about him surprises everyone but is nothing compared to what she discovers about the world.
In a heartfelt, charming, and insightful novel that is based on true events, Shawn K. Stout weaves a story about family secrets, intolerance, and coming of age that will keep listeners guessing until the end.
Includes a note read by the author
Critic Reviews:
"Shawn Stout's Frankie Baum is that rare creation: a character so real, so true, we don't just feel we know her - we are her. Irrepressible Frankie meets issues like prejudice and loyalty head on, in a story both highly entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. She may be #3 in her family, but she'll be #1 in the hearts of all who read this book." (Tricia Springstubb, author of What Happened on Fox Street)
"At turns hilarious, at turns heartbreaking, Shawn Stout's story shows us the damage that a whisper campaign can do to a family and a community, and at the same time shows us, each of us, a way to find our hearts. Frankie Baum is a hero from a distant time and yet a hero for all times, the kind of hero who never gets old. I loved this book from the very beginning to the very end." (Kathi Appelt, author of the National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor book The Underneath)
"Stout uses an archly chummy direct address at several points, successfully and humorously breaking up tension in this cleareyed look at bad behavior by society.... Successfully warmhearted and child-centered." (Kirkus Reviews)
Members Reviews:
I grew up hearing many of the anecdotes from this book and it seems the 'Baum' sisters were pretty consistent in their telling b
In the interest of full disclosure, I will state for the record that I am also a direct descendant of the people upon whom this story is based. Mrs. Stout did not tell me to buy or read this book; indeed I only found out about it a week or so before its publication.
I grew up hearing many of the anecdotes from this book and it seems the 'Baum' sisters were pretty consistent in their telling because what is not fiction in this book is exactly as I remember hearing it around the table at Thanksgiving in Hagerstown. Reading the first half of this book, for me, was like sitting in the room with my grandmother, great aunts and great grandmother once again.