Stay, Girl

By Angelica R. Jackson

Genre: Fiction/Coming of Age

Pages: 279

Via: Blog Tour

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sacramento, CA, 1953. Penny was one of the dogs seized by the county in a cruelty case. Thirteen year-old Lizabeth “Bet” Carter is on the run from an abusive stepdad after her addicted mom dies. She’s heading to her Uncle Earl’s. But only cuz Bet promised her mom she’d “go” to Earl’s. Bet never said anything about staying with him. In fact, she plans on high-tailing it down to Oregon to work as a cook’s helper in a lumber camp with her best girlfriend. As soon as she can make some plans.

But an unlikely yet heartwarming alliance begins to form in this captivating and compelling coming of age tale reminiscent of Where the Red Fern Grows, Marley and Me, and Shiloh.

Kindness

Well.  When Bet shows up at her Uncle Earl’s unannounced, she finds that her kindly uncle has been caring for the sick, skittish beagle on behalf of the county. Uncle Earl already has two dogs, Nap and Josie. But the canine fam soon includes the skittish, half-starved Penny. Just like big-hearted Uncle Earl’s human fam soon includes Bet. In fact, her uncle’s kindness and compassion begin to grow on her. There’s also the neighbor girl Georgie. She has more spunk than a stick of dynamite.

There’s also M & Ms. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Black Beauty. Meatloaf sandwiches! (Kimber snuck those in. In case you’re wondering.) Triple berry pie. “Fartichokes.” Pillow babies. Socks. An underground Railroad. Prank wars. And that about Bet’s photo entries for the Yuba County Fair competition?

Uh-Oh

But when Bet and Penny wind up in jail…

Oh, wait. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out what happens next. Ditto why Dog People Are The Best People. Not that we’re biased or anythin’. By the way, the title has a double meaning. In case you’re wondering.

Maverick

We were just going to dip a toe or two into this book. Just to test the waters. Next thing ya know, we’re in chapter 16. Talk about time flying! Think Maverick in Top Gun.

Scene stealers: Doc Marsh the vet and Peggy the deputy. And that’s all we gonna say about that.

Warm

Beautifully written, Stay, Girl has a lively, homespun flavor to it that’s as warm as an August sun. Think The Waltons meets The Incredible Journey, with maybe a little Witness, too.

The author pulls you in from chapter one and keeps you turning pages till the very end. For example, descriptions of Uncle Earl, Bet and Georgie walking working a vegetable garden, Fae canning or stirring up a batch of jam. Or Bet and Penny cooling off in the local swimming hole on a hot summer day put you right in the think of things. Ditto Uncle Earl’s culinary creations and a couple run-ins with mean old Mrs. Ridgway.

Heartwarming, heartfelt, Stay, Girl brims with wit and warmth. It’s the kind of book that’ll crawl inside your heart and set a spell. Captivating and compelling, this one’s a winner.

We loved it! So I’d stay around and grab my own copy now  fize you. Oh yeah!

Our Rating: 4.5