Franny Hansen is a 10-year-old piano prodigy living in Rusty Nail, Minnesota. Once the Coot Capitol of the world, in 1953 it's just a run-of-the-mill town with one traffic light and a bizarre cast of characters. She's long exhausted the talents of the town's only piano teacher and seems destined to perform at church events and school assemblies, until a mysterious Russian woman arrives in Rusty Nail. Franny's neighbors are convinced the "Commie" is a threat to their American way of life, but Franny's not so sure. Could this stranger be her ticket out of Rusty Nail?
Lesley M. M. Blume returns with the poignant and laugh-out-loud funny story of one girl's attempt to pursue the American dream in small town America.
VOYA
Francis Hansen and her arch rival, Nancy Orilee, are slated to play the piano for a visiting dignitary. This news is big for the small Minnesota town of Rusty Nail in 1953, a place with only one of everything including grocery, church, bar, and stoplight. Although Nancy's father will pay for anything, including out-of-town lessons, Frances must settle for lusterless Mrs. Staudt, who has trouble staying awake during the lessons. In this town and tale that is structured in three movements like a piano concerto, only one star can shine. The Moderato sets the competition between the girls. The Adagio raises the tension by bringing in a Russian concert pianist. Frances cajoles her way into scant lessons from Olga Malenkov only to learn that Nancy is being tutored as well. Because it is the McCarthy era, the mystery surrounding the newcomer threatens to divide the town. The Allegro brings an exciting conclusion to the rivalry. The characterization of Frances and Olga are full-full of doubts, excitement, and anxieties. The language is mostly fresh and engaging for carrying the plot; however, many secondary characters are little more than placards, predictable and stilted. The mayor's dialect is corny, and the mother's inability to cook or iron is cartoonish. Recommend this book to music lovers as well as to anyone searching for a McCarthy-era novel.
Categories:
- Children's Books
- Arts, Music & Photography
- Performing Arts
- Fiction
- Performing Arts
- Arts, Music & Photography
Publisher : Yearling
Author : Blume, Lesley M. M.
Language : English
Edition : Reprint
Published :2009-06-23
Number Of Pages : 288
Binding : Paperback
ISBN-10 : 044042111X
ISBN-13 : 9780440421115
Item weight : 0.35 lb
Dimensions : 0.9 in x 5.1 in x 7.4 in
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