n this haunting and lyrical novel Caroline B. Cooney weaves together the stories of four teenagers whose paths cross in a small South Carolina town. Lutie Painter is struggling to come to terms with a terrible knowledge about her mother. Doria Bell just wants someone—anyone—to see her as more than the accompanist on the bench. Kelvin Hartley is happy to enjoy everything and work at nothing. And Traine Greene is on fire, just waiting for the chance to truly burn.

The book grabs you from the beginning as you yearn to know more about each character and become invested in their decisions. The unique voice of each character and Cooney's vivid portrayal of a Southern town where troubles simmer just under the sleepy exterior brings the story to life. A bit of a different approach for Cooney, but one that pays off. ( )

Lutie's inheritance from her grandmother was her great-great grandmother's songs--not spirituals, but personal appeals to God. Now her pastor, her music teacher, a musicologist, and the new girl at school, all want to share them with the world, but Lutie doesn't want to give them up. Meanwhile, new girl Doria is having a hard time fitting in, and bad boy Train is looking for enough trouble to finally match his jailbird older brother.

Affecting. ( )

This book was good. I really fell in love with the characters and that's what the story was. Cooney really captured the atmosphere of a town, you felt like you were part of the community. I actually really wanted to move there after I finished the book. There were some odd things, like I'm not sure that caroline cooney is the greatest song writer. She did a good job of ending the book on a happy note but making it realistic, not everyone's problems were imediatly solved. This book was a quick enjoyable read that definitely left an impression on me. ( )