Here Today - Ann M. Martin

I still think it's weird that Ann M. Martin has started writing good books.

Apparently, A Corner of the Universe was not a fluke. Her newest book, Here Today, is great.

In 1963, Ellie's mother, Doris Day Dingman, was crowned the Bosetti Beauty at Mr. Bosetti's supermarket. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and the Dingmans began to fall apart. Most of this happened in the second part of the year--a year that had gotten off to a pretty good start, considering they were the Dingmans.

I will admit to especially liking historical fiction that's set in the 20th century. But regardless of that slight lack of objectivity, this was a super book.

The Dingmans live in the town of Spectacle (Ellie calls the residents the Spectaculars), down a cul-de-sac called Witch Tree Lane. The kids that live on the street are all close friends, and they're all outcasts at school--Holly Major doesn't know who her dad is, and her mom has never been married; the Lauchaires are from Belgium, speak French, and are always a mess; the Levins are Jewish bohemians; Miss Nelson and Miss Woods have lived together for years and are not related. The Dingmans? Well, how easy do you think it would be to have that last name? Or a mother that has re-named herself Doris Day, is an aspiring actress, and who will do ANYTHING to become one?

Awesome.