The Mighty Miss Malone

"Once upon a time . . in Gary, Indiana, lived a family of three very special, very happy and uniquely talented people. I am the fourth member of that family and much too modest to include myself in such a grandiose description of their exalted number." p.4

We are the only family in the world, in my ken, that has a motto of our own! That motto is "We are a family on a journey to a place called Wonderful." p.12

Deza Malone is beloved by teachers and neighbors, spending afternoons at the library with her best friend her goal is to read every book in the public library. (How can a librarian not love this character?) Times are tough in Gary, Indiana, particularly for an unemployed African-American man. You wouldn't know it by Deza Malone, even though her teeth are rotting out and she's being given "used" clothes and shoes. No, you wouldn't know times were tough for Deza Malone until her playful father leaves town in hopes of finding a job.  He's heard things are better elsewhere.

Roscoe Malone's departure sends each of the Malones on a journey of their own - to growing up, providing for a family, relying on oneself, and simply surviving.

With humor and heartache Curtis explores the life of young black girl in poverty stricken America. As his author's note acknowledges and I see everyday, there are far too many children for whom Deza's story would be familiar.

The Mighty Miss Malone made a brief appearance in Bud Not Buddy, Christopher Paul Curtis's 1999 Newbery and Coretta Scott King winner. I'm sure this year's committees will be taking look at Miss Malone.


Amazon: 11 ratings, with an average of 4.4 stars
Goodreads: 898 ratings, with an average of 4.01 stars
Starred reviews by Kirkus and Publishers Weekly.

A few of the more complete reviews can be found at The Horn Book, Fuse #8 and The Book Smugglers.

This is also an excellent audiobook. Curtis's reading of his dedication was the perfect amuse bouche for the compelling reading by Bahni Turpin.