I was so honored and thrilled to meet this Newbery-winning author and even more excited to hear him speak. The man has a voice for radio. I could listen to him speak all day. Not to mention the fact that his voice actually entertained and engaged both adults and kids alike.
I was lucky enough to attend this event with some friends so I was excited and thrilled when Curtis saw me taking pictures of friends getting their books signed and said to me, "Do you want a picture with me?" Well who would turn down an offer like that from Christopher Paul Curtis? I hope no one!
Curtis's latest book is about Deza Malone, a minor character from Bud, Not Buddy. Deza may only be twelve-years-old but her intelligence and talent at all things academic has put her on the fast track for a bright future. But when the Great Depression comes raging through her hometown of
Gary, Indiana and makes it impossible for her
father to find work, the Malones must now face an uncertain, ill-fated
future that once looked so bright and promising. Christopher Paul Curtis writes Deza with fierce spirit despite her dire circumstances. He does not sugar coat the plight of poverty the Malone family must endure and pulls no punches for his young audience. Yet despite the fact that our young heroine experiences dashed hopes and crushed dreams, you never once feel like she's down and out. Deza's fighting spirit is a testament to her family's motto: "We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful."
The audiobook has the added benefit of being read by Bahni Turpin, of The True Meaning of Smekday fame. Her performance in The Mighty Miss Malone is more subdued than Smekday but no less brilliant. In fact, it is downright soulful. She does an amazing job maintaining the spirit of Deza and keeping the listener's hopes alive despite the grim realities of what is happening in the story.
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