When Belle Prater disappears, Belle’s boy, Woodrow, comes to live with his grandparents in Coal Station, Virginia. Woodrow’s cousin Gypsy is the town beauty, but she has hidden sorrows and secrets of her own. She wonders how Woodrow can accept his mother’s disappearance when she’s never gotten over her father’s death. That’s when Woodrow tells Gypsy the secret about his mother.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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"When her cousin Woodrow moves in next door, Gypsy is certain she is going to get to the bottom of her Aunt Belle's disappearance. What she gets instead is a new friend. Woodrow, despite his backwoods appearance, is kind, funny, and can hold his own in a fistfight, if it comes to that. As they share secrets and defend one another, they come to share the tragedies in their lives as well, helping each other cope." — Linnae (4 out of 5 stars)
"When her cousin Woodrow moves in next door, Gypsy is certain she is going to get to the bottom of her Aunt Belle's disappearance. What she gets instead is a new friend. Woodrow, despite his backwoods appearance, is kind, funny, and can hold his own in a fistfight, if it comes to that. As they share secrets and defend one another, they come to share the tragedies in their lives as well, helping each other cope."
White gives her protagonists the courage to face tragedy and transcend it—and the ability to pass along that gift to the reader.
White paints a vivid picture of small-town Appalachia in the 1950s. . . . Characterization is superb.
Ruth White creates a satisfying feeling of community. . . . An admirable, stirring book.
" this is the worst book i have ever read i thought that it was very boring and dull. belle is very confusing first she leaves and next she does it on purpose and i thought it was very stupid. She married a guy she doesnt like and she leaves her son Woodrow. "
" A really good book which includes a little bit of a mystery. Fun characters too! "
" Funny and touching. Loved the characters. "
" This is a really good book, so well written. The characters are well-drawn and interesting, another example showing that good writing is good writing, whether for teens, adults, or children. "
" A good book that needs a better ending. "
" it was a good book. some parts were really confusing. "
" I adore this book. Really well written and has a great hook. "
" I loved the feeling of this book. "
" I really like this book. "
" i really really loved this book. it's soooooooooooo sad!!! "
" This book fits all my favorite genres: mystery, fiction, Newberries, inspirationals, everything. Very artfully written book. I would recommend it to every girl 10 and up! "
" The end was extremely depressing but it does have a sorta happy ending. "
" I love Ruth White's take on Appalachia. I really enjoy her books. "
" it was a good book except for the ending it seemed like there should be a second but other than that it was great i recomend it to everyone "
" I enjoyed this book and its mysterious premise. Even more fun to read, knowing the author's niece :) "
" Done! Finally! Ok so it wasn't my favorites and didn't turn out the way I wanted but it Is still an awesome book! "
" this was kind of a sad story and it wasn't really my favoite book. "
" I LOVE stories about kids growing up in the mountains, children of coal miners, etc. This was a wonderful book and I'm excited to read more by Ruth White. "
" I loved this book!!! Great characters! Everyone should read it. "
" Very powerful book about two cousins trying to cope with traumas in their past. Ruth White handles an amazing summer with sober revelations with aplomb. "
" Although this is a youth book is was a pleasure to listen to. "
" Great characterization. Two cousins become fast friends in a small minig town even though they come from very different backgrounds. "
" I liked it- I think it is one of those books that adults like- but not children. "
" Just started this book but it sounds really good! "
" Good story and good characters. The ending certainly left you wanting more. "
" This book was very good "
" A sweet and poignant story for preteens. Set in a coal mining area of Virginia, the story revolves around 11 year old cousins Woodrow Prater, whose mother has mysteriously disappeared, and Gypsy, who is coming to terms with the death of her father. I can't wait to read the sequel. "
" Reading this with my Pre-AP 6th graders. They found it slow and boring at first, but once we got into the mystery, they began to really like it. After finishing, they are all excited to read the sequal. "
" Good YA novel. Friendship in small southern town in 1954. It's about appreciating the internal over the external parts of people. A hidden tragedy is revealed but its not too overly mature. Good for 14 years and up I would think. "
Ruth White is the author of Sweet Creek Holler, an ALA Notable Book; Weeping Willow, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Belle Prater’s Boy, a Newbery Honor Book.
Alison Elliott is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actress, who is best known for her roles in feature films such as Underneath, The Spitfire Grill, The Wings of the Dove, and Birth.
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