Callie Rose

Callie Rose is an eleven-year-old with lots of common sense. She likes to go fishing, and she loves her Granny. This year, Callie Rose's mom has gone away, which makes Callie Rose's daddy sad. She and her little brother, Kenny, have moved into Granny and Pap's farm house down the road while the family sorts things out. Even though it's a confusing time, Callie Rose has friends and plenty to do. For one thing, a couple of boys challenge Callie Rose and her rebellious friend, Olive Ellis, to a softball contest in the field. For another, she gets to eat Aunt Faye's famous red velvet cake and jump on the swinging bridge at the big family reunion at Granny's homeplace. Back on the farm, Callie Rose helps raise baby goats, gathers eggs from the henhouse, and stalks a mean old snapping turtle. She wades in Judy Branch, the creek that Pap says is "clean enough to drink from," and she defends her overweight cousin, Marlene. In the midst of it all, Callie Rose figures out some important lessons about growing up and understanding why grown-ups do the things they do. (www.MotesBooks.com)