A Tiny Piece of Sky

Narrator Tara Sands offers a memorable performance with this story of three sisters, one restaurant, and a possible German spy. During the summer of 1939, things are changing. The Baum family has decided to open a restaurant, which means that youngest sister Frankie is always in the kitchen. When rumors that her father might possibly be a German spy start to circulate, Frankie knows she has to investigate and uncover the truth. Sands deftly portrays spunky Frankie, thoughtful older sister Elizabeth, and energetic middle sister Joan. She ensures that the sisters' relationship--full of love and occasional frustrations--rings true. She also handles the supporting cast with ease, creating lively and engaging characters, and keeps the tension high as questions arise and tragedy abounds. S.B.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

April 4, 2016
Colloquial omniscient narration and entertaining letters between sisters immerse readers in a spirited heroine’s mind and the complexities of 1939 small-town life. Ten-year-old Frankie Baum hates being a “Number Three”: her oldest sister, Elizabeth, can do no wrong, while Frankie’s middle sister and best friend, Joan, gets to spend the summer on their aunt’s farm. Meanwhile, Frankie is stuck working in the kitchen at her father’s new restaurant. Voice actress Sands does an excellent job with Frankie, bringing just the right combination of childlike innocence and youngest-sibling outrage to flesh out the character. She inhabits the other characters with conviction, including the imperious oldest sister, nervous mother, and wise father, as well as various townspeople, such as the scheming mayoral candidate Mr. Price. The performance is strong, and listeners will be cheering for Frankie throughout. As an added bonus, the author reads a touching afterword in which she describes the genesis of the novel, which was inspired by her own grandparents. Ages 9–12. A Philomel hardcover.