A review by couillac
Anybody Shining by Frances O'Roark Dowell

3.0

I consider O'Dowell to be one of the most underrated authors out there - realistic tween fiction doesn't get much better than her trilogy that starts with "The Secret Language of Girls" and follows two former best friends through the ups and downs of middle school. While this title is historical fiction, Dowell's accessible, fluid writing and nuanced understanding of childhood dynamics are on full display. While the plot is perhaps unremarkable, and certainly nothing particularly earth-shattering occurs, young readers will be instantly won over by the charm of Arie Mae and her community. The appeal of this book is just spending time with these engaging voices in their thoroughly-imagined mountain village. The historical context of an evolving Appalachia that is falling under the influence of an outside world that both looks down on it and wants to preserve it adds an intriguing layer of complexity. Fans of "Three Times Lucky" and those who enjoy a gentle historical read will find much to like here.