Shouting at the Rain

Gr 3-6--Limned in northeastern sea salt and Adirondack chairs, Hunt's latest offering explores those frustrating preteen years when friends become enemies and family is at once embarrassing and desired. Delsie, obsessed with the weather, lives with her grandmother on the coast, and summers on the coast are always special. But this summer feels different; her best friend seems distant and a new kid in town, Ronan, is confusingly magnetic. Underscoring all of these mixed emotions is Delsie's hurt and turmoil over being abandoned by her mother. Sometimes it feels like her efforts in life amount to "shouting at the rain" or punching a tornado. When push comes to shove, Delsie must decide whether she will embrace the family she's built in her small seaside town. Hunt creates a realistic sketch of small-town life and the agonies of growing up in an imperfect family. VERDICT While the cast lacks racial diversity, the thematic elements of tweenage angst are timeless and relatable.--Amanda C. Buschmann, Carroll Elementary School, Houston

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Endearingly blunt, stubborn Delsie lives year-round on Cape Cod, where she watches game shows with her Grammy and eagerly consults her weather station. This summer, though, the storm that's brewing has nothing to do with the weather. Her friend Brandy has begun wearing makeup and made a new friend who doesn't hide her disdain for Delsie. In addition, everything about the island begins to remind her of the mother who abandoned her when she was little. Delsie finds strength and solace in her neighbors' kindness and a surprising connection with a new kid, Ronan, who is struggling with his own loss. In kid-friendly prose, Hunt (Fish in a Tree) balances Delsie's unfettered sense of adventure with her tweenlike insecurities. Socioeconomic disparity between Delsie and her wealthier friends is handled in a matter-of-fact way--it's apparent, but the author doesn't linger on it. The book's coming-of-age lessons about acceptance and friendship, though relevant, can feel didactic; Delsie makes some rather sudden revelations about what's really important in life. Still, her sweet desire for a family and her unexpected realization that she's had one all along make this story well worth reading. Ages 10-up. (May)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"A richly embroidered cast of characters, a thoughtful exploration of how real friends treat one another, and the true meaning of family all combine to make this a thoroughly satisfying coming-of-age tale. Cape Cod is nicely depicted—not the Cape of tourists but the one of year-round residents—as is the sometimes-sharp contrast between residents and summer people. Hunt has crafted another gentle, moving tale of love and loss: the value of the one and the importance of getting over the other."—Kirkus Reviews

"Limned in northeastern sea salt and Adirondack chairs, Hunt's latest offering explores those frustrating preteen years when friends become enemies and family is at once embarrassing and desired. . . . Hunt creates a realistic sketch of small-town life and the agonies of growing up in an imperfect family. . . . The thematic elements of tweenage angst are timeless and relatable."—School Library Journal

"In addition to telling Delsie's story in an involving way, Hunt vividly portrays the underlying us-and-them mentality shared by locals in a seaside community that relies on outside visitors. As sweet and summery as lemonade."—Booklist

"Endearingly blunt, stubborn Delsie lives year-round on Cape Cod. . . . In kid-friendly prose, Hunt balances Delsie's unfettered sense of adventure with her tweenlike insecurities. . . . Her sweet desire for a family and her unexpected realization that she's had one all along make this story well worth reading."—Publishers Weekly

"[Delsie and Ronan's] slow-build friendship is realistic and enjoyable. . . . Delsie is an engaging protagonist, simultaneously stubborn and uncertain, independent-minded without forced quirkiness. Hunt's depiction of class conflict in a vacation destination is matter of fact, with money woes serving not as plot points but as part of the setting. The writing is vivid and child-friendly . . . with a satisfyingly imperfect resolution to the many conflicts."—Horn Book