Dixie Storms
by Barbara Hall (creator of Joan of Arcadia)
Published by Harcourt, Inc.
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Elysabeth Eldering
(1990 with author interview copyrighted 2006)
Dixie Storms is a coming of age story for 14-year-old Margaret Peyton (aka, Dutch). When Cousin Norma, who is a couple of years older than Dutch, comes to visit during the summer, lots of changes come about.
Norma is from Richmond and brings with her an air of sophistication and all-knowing of all things. Dutch is taken in by what she thinks she can learn from her cousin. Both girls end up gaining something from the other.
Dutch has to care for her family, which consists of her father, her brother Flood, her nephew Bodean, and her Aunt Macy. She tends to hold everything together, yet she isn't as well versed as someone who comes from a big city and has worldly knowledge.
Both girls come away with some good life lessons and a better outlook of their own life.
After reading the author interview, I felt I had a better understanding of this story, although I wasn't really sure what timeframe this story was set in. I did feel it could have been set in the '50s, 60s or even the present day, although "Dixie Storms" don't seem to be as prevalent in the present day, by the description of what a "Dixie storm" is.
Armchair Interviews says: An enjoyable, quick read--a really nice little young adult story, probable target audience 13-15 year old girls.