I couldn’t have chosen a better book to begin my Newbery
Challenge. First off, I’ll say that this
was on my TBR list for months before it was chosen as a Newbery Honor. I was thrilled to receive it as a Christmas
gift from my sister, but my TBR stack was as huge as a Christmas tree. I finally had the chance to read it in
February. As a life-long North
Carolinian, I was destined to love this book.
I was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the “big city” that was the
hometown of Detective Joe Starr. There
is just something about reading a novel set in your home state.
Even at thirty-five years old, I would love to hang out with
Mo LeBeau, and while reading this book, it felt like I was with her every step
of the way, investigating crimes and serving up peanut butter sandwiches and
Mountain Dew. To me the distinguished part
of this book is obviously its characterization.
From the Colonel to Miss Lana to Dale’s mother, each character comes
alive on the page.
Mystery has never been my favorite genre, but I remained
pretty intrigued throughout the story and didn’t solve the mystery before it
was solved in the book.
How does it compare
to the other 2013 Newbery books?
I think it is a nice addition and rounds out (in terms of
genres) of this year’s winners. I loved Ivan and Bomb so if I enjoy Splendors
and Glooms even half as much, I’ll be able to rank 2013 as being one of my
favorite Newbery years.
Want a great review?
Check out what Emily Bird has to say:
http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/03/review-of-the-day-three-times-lucky-by-sheila-turnage/
