Cynthia DeFelice excelle à immerger les lecteurs dans la vie de ses personnages, une compétence perfectionnée grâce à son amour profond des histoires cultivé dès l'enfance. Elle aborde son écriture avec un engagement envers l'honnêteté, s'appuyant sur une expérience diversifiée qui inclut des emplois de vendeuse de livres et de bibliothécaire. DeFelice trouve une profonde satisfaction à se connecter avec son public, évoquant un spectre d'émotions allant de la peur au rire et stimulant de nouvelles perspectives. Son talent narratif est évident dans sa capacité à captiver les jeunes lecteurs et à laisser une impression durable.
The Striped Bass Derby holds special significance for twelve-year-old Ben Daggett, whose ambition is fueled by his father's status as the island's record holder. As he navigates the challenges of the competition, Ben is determined to surpass his father's achievement, showcasing themes of ambition, family legacy, and the personal stakes involved in the annual event cherished by the Martha's Vineyard community.
The story follows eleven-year-old Hadley as she explores the enigmatic light on Hogback Hill, leading her to a friendship with a hunchbacked old woman. Through their bond, Hadley uncovers the woman's tragic past, revealing themes of empathy, understanding, and the power of connection across generations.
The narrative centers on Jessamine Colter, a dedicated calligrapher who has documented her small town's history through her art for nearly fifty years. Her life takes on new meaning with the arrival of Callie Williams, a young girl who shares her enthusiasm for "fancy writing." This relationship blossoms into a deep bond, as Jessamine embraces her role as a mentor and protector, highlighting themes of love, legacy, and the preservation of community through art.
When Willie McPhee, the finest bagpipe player in all of Scotland, goes looking for customers who have a wee bit extra to spend on merriment, he finds more than he bargained for. On a cold, wet, miserable night, Willie trips over a tree trunk in the dark. Peering closer, he sees that the fallen tree isn't a tree at all, but a man, a DEAD man, lying stone cold frozen in the snow. "A-A-A-aaaaah!" screams Willie. But then he notices that the body is wearing some fine-looking boots.A poor man is a practical man, and so soon Willie has a shiny new pair of boots. He puts them to good use tricking a stingy farmer -- and then, in a startling twist, the original owner