A review by judyward
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

4.0

I loved this book about life in Cold Sassy, Georgia in 1906. Will Tweedy is fourteen year old and the favorite of his grandfather. E. Rucker Blakeslee is an eccentric man who owns the local store and lives life on his own terms. Barely three weeks after the death of his wife, Grandpa Blakeslee scandalizes the town of Cold Sassy by marrying Miss Love Simpson, who had moved to Cold Sassy to make hats in his store. Not only does Grandpa Blakeslee completely disregard social mores and the wishes of his two daughters, but Miss Love Simpson is half the age of her groom and almost a Yankee--she was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. During the next year, Will Tweedy is one of the only residents of Cold Sassy who approves of the marriage and the reader sees the relationship from his viewpoint. Will Tweedy also grows up a lot during the year chronicled--he was run over by a train, had his first kiss, learned to drive a car, and learned a lot about life, religion, social class, and prejudice. A charming coming of age story that should appeal to all readers.