Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. 276 p. Nancy Paulsen Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, May 7, 2019. 9780399175152. (Review of arc courtesy of bookseller hosting author visit.)
Middle Grade Monday features Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Fans of the author's first two books, One for the Murphys and Fish in a Tree will not be disappointed. Shouting at the Rain is set on Cape Cod. Delsie, lives on the Cape year-round with her grandmother. She wants to learn more about her mother, but Gran always changes the subject. Her best Cape friends are busy with a summer production of Annie and she's looking forward to the arrival of her best summer friend, Brandy. But Brandy has changed and the arrival of a new girl, Tressa makes Delsie feel like a third wheel. Then, there's the appearance of a mysterious boy who dresses all in black. Some say he's bad news but Delsie is intrigued.
Hunt excels at creating heartfelt characters. Delsie is compelling. Her ache over being parentless, especially missing her mother, is heartbreaking. She loves her grandmother and her neighbors are like an extended family, but she can't help wondering, missing and feeling it's her fault. The story nicely depicts the lives of year-round residents of beach resort towns - folks who love the place, brave it through hard winters and tolerate the summer invaders upon whom their livelihoods depend.
Hand to fans of the author's and readers who like gentle problem novels.
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