Synopsis:
When 13-year-old Capistrano native Groovy’s father gets arrested, she has to face the devastating truth about her family and look for the courage to forgive.
Review:
In The Year the Swallows Came Early, debut novelist Kathryn Fitzmaurice gives us a winning protagonist in Groovy (nee Eleanor), named by her ne’er-do-well father because as a toddler she loved to dance. Now Groovy’s beloved dad has been hauled off to prison, and her salon-owner mother won’t give her a straight answer as to why.
What I liked most about Groovy was that she loves cooking. It’s a small character touch that just brings her to life, and gives Groovy something else to focus on besides the main plot of the story. It’s not just a quirky gimmick, either–Fitzmaurice really lets us understand what it is that draws Groovy to food, and makes her passion come alive. It just makes me so happy when an author makes the effort to give characters “outside interests,” so to speak. It’s sad how often this doesn’t happen.
I loved Groovy’s journey as she makes sense of what happened to her family. Her voice is winning and accessible and middle-grade readers will just love her. I’m so glad that Sally picked this book for a tour–check out the other entries!
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Great post! This is such a great book and I love that so many have enjoyed it as much as I did.
By the way – LOVE the name of your blog!!
I agree–not many authors give characters outside interests and passions. Or if they do, it’s so superficial that it is not an integrated part of the story. It makes no difference really.
I’m so happy you liked Groovy’s voice, and that she felt like a real cook to you. Thank you for writing such a sweet review.
I love to cook myself so I especially liked that detail.
I agree! Groovy had depth. Her foodology was part of her. And the other characters felt real, too. The characters made this book.
Nice review, Annie. You’re right that Groovy’s love of cooking was not a gimmick. Because of her passion, she had a dream, and that made her disappointment all the greater. But meanwhile, all the food references were fun.
Becky
Nice review, Annie. You’re right that Groovy’s love of cooking was not a gimmick. Because of her passion, she had a dream, and that made her disappointment all the greater. But meanwhile, all the food references were fun. 😉
Becky