A review by paperprivateer
Sweetness All Around by Suzanne Supplee

mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
This book is loosely based on real events in the early 70s in the southern US. Although I wasn’t around in the 70s and haven’t spent a lot of time in the southern part of the United States, this book felt like being picked up and transported to that time and place. 
 
Josephine is the kind of character that is both lovable and infuriating at the same time — in a good way. I completely understand why the adults around her, especially her mother, and sometimes exasperated by her attitude and antics. She’s grappling with big emotions in a real, relatable way. Her level of understanding of the world around her is age-appropriate, with her sometimes not understanding the complexity of the situations around her. This naivety, however, allows her to accomplish things and make friends in a way that only an eleven-year-old could. She’s angry, judgmental and impulsive — and yet hopeful, determined, and kind. She makes up a beautiful, complicated package that makes her jump off the page like she’s a real person. 
 
The setting too is vivid and complex. There are lots of little mentions about what life in the trailer park or in their nice home before was like. The characters surrounding them mention details that make the world feel lived in with great parts and disappointing or unfair elements. 
 
I had two minor qualms with the book. I’m not sure how many kids are clamoring to read about the 1970s, and the nostalgia elements are likely to be lost on them. That and the darker elements, particularly the author’s note about the real-life events involving children going missing and being murdered, are pretty dark. 
 
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the vividness of the characters and setting, but sensitive readers should be aware of the subject matter. 
 
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions are my own and were not influenced by receiving a copy.