Wonderland by Barbara O'Connor

"Holly cannoli" this is a terrific book!

The title of this book is perfect. Mavis wonders if she can make a new friend. Rose wonders if she can be brave and put her worries aside. Henry (the retired greyhound) wonders how he can find a better life away from the racetrack called Wonderland. Finally there is the wonder of newly emerging friendships

Mavis and her mother, Miss Luanne Jeeter, live on the edge of poverty. Luanne follows a pattern. She gets a job, it doesn't work out and so Mavis is forced to leave another house, another school and another town and trail after her mother in the hope things can get better.  This time they have moved from Hadley, Georgia to Laundy, Alabama. Luanne will now work in the house of Mr and Mrs Tully and their daughter Rose. Luanne is the only indoor servant so she has to do the cleaning, cooking and laundry for this very demanding wealthy lady - Mrs Tully. Needless to say Luanne hates everything abut this job and so it seems Mavis may be forced to move again.

It is the Summer holidays. Mavis and and her mother move into a small apartment over the garage. Mavis has decided Rose will be her friend.  Rose doesn't have any friends among the kids in this gated community and Mavis is a "force of nature". She is fearless and truly kind. When Mavis meets Rose's friend Mr Duffy, the gatekeeper, she can feel his desperate sorrow over the loss of his beloved dog. Mavis knows what needs to happen. She tells Rose they will form a special club - just the two of them, and then they will find a new dog for Mr Duffy.

The chapters in this book alternate between three voices - Rose, Mavis and Henry. I loved the distinct personalities of Mavis and Rose but the stand out character in this story for me is Mr Duffy. I don't live in the US but I adore his turn of phrase which I am guessing is authentic to Alabama.

"Well hot dang! We should have a cupcake party."

"Jupiter, Mars and Pluto, Rose ... You're gonna scare me right into my grave."

"Truth of the matter is, this old sorry life of mine is all vines and no taters, and even my vines aren't looking too good anymore. Ain't no dog on this earth needs a pitiful geezer like me."

"You can't keep trouble from coming, but you don't have to give it a chair to sit on."

"The corn's off the cob, Rosie. Too late to come back."

I do enjoy seeing familiar author names when I am browsing in a book shop. The bonus with Wonderland came when I spied a paperback edition for a really good price.

Take a look here to read a text extract. Listen to an audio sample.

A richly satisfying exploration of the logic and determination with which children work to make things right. Kirkus

Readers will love Rose and Mavis with all of their hearts. Colby Sharp

It's a heart tugger and a short lesson in believing in yourself and standing up for what you think is right even if it means facing your own mother.  You may need a tissue or two but you'll definitely feel like you have two new best friends  A book and a hug

Here are three previous books by Barbara O'Connor which I have shared here at momotimetoread:

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis

Wish

How to steal a dog

You might like to dip into the blog by Barbara O'Connor called Greetings from Nowhere, where she interviews authors of middle grade books.