Bank Street Children's Best Books of the Year • Georgia Children's Book Award

 

In this tender, lyrical story set in the mountains of Kentucky, Brenda Gail is spending the summer with her great-grandparents. Gran Pap tells her that 'everybody born in the mountains got a song inside 'em,' made of memories. That means Brenda Gail has one, too, 'just waitin' to come out.' A squabble with her troublesome cousin Melvin, in which Big Ma's favorite hen is injured, and their reconciliation help Brenda Gail start to choose the moments that will be in her song.

 

An atmospheric text written by a true storyteller. Kids everywhere will want to make up their own 'mountain songs.'

 

'Crum hits some sweet notes while portraying believable childhood emotions and warm intergenerational relationships.'—Publishers Weekly