Otherwise Known as Possum

Reviewed by: Jeri Fitzpatrick - GNGMS, Gray, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 14, 2017

Review

The book would be great for people studying the Depression Era in the south. The story is about a 10 year old girl,Possum. Her mother died in childbirth and her Baby died the next day. She was home schooled by her mom, and now the nosy town women want her to go to school. Possum's thoughts are, "To me, who's been learning up and down the holler my whole life, school'd be as wasteful as a bath on Wednesday." ..."They'd swooped onto the porch, all black wings and beady eyed like giant crows, beaks fixing to stick into our business. I considered taking a shot. After all, a crow is a crow , and I have dead-keen aim, on account of I'm naturally gifted for such things." Colloquialism is used heavily which might impede younger readers. She is allowed to run free day and night with her dog. She feels it's her job to take care of Daddy. There are also many historical references about President Hoover and the soon to be President Roosevelt. How the country is split on what the best course would be to fix the problems of dads leaving families to find work, finding jobs, and Mrs. Roosevelt changing the role of women. Possum has to go to school. she think's her Dad is just forgetting about Mama. He might be getting sweet on the new teacher from the north. The story has a surprise ending that made me cry.

This was the author's debut book; she worked 10 years on this story, did much research, and revision. She died shortly after it's publication.

Overall Book Score: very good