BIRD SONG

by Eleanor Frances Lattimore ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 4, 1968

Bird Song is the name of the South Carolina plantation where fatherless Julie lives with her grandparents, Bama and Papa, while her mother works in New York; it has nothing to do with the story except in the sense that the place and the particular pleasures it affords are the story. What happens is what other books have made much more of: Julie is slightly anxious about her mother's prospective remarriage, more anxious afterward when it seems that she'll have to leave Bama and Papa; reconciled by time, the arrival of a baby brother, permission to take her puppy along. The oft-postponed departure (first because of measles) gives her a chance to garden and sell her produce, to overcome fear of a rattlesnake spider, to go crabbing, to demonstrate self-possession during a storm, etc; Mother and Frank seem remote -- to the reader too -- which may be a plus: everyone has time, as Frank has sensibly suggested, to ""get used to the idea."" And, as usual, Mrs. Lattimore provides menus, room plans, tips on farm and household tasks -- a sense of purposeful well-being; you could move in and youngsters will.

Pub Date: Sept. 4, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1968

Categories: FICTION