The Rising Star of Rusty Nail

Lesley M.M. Blume's THE RISING STAR OF RUSTY NAIL tells of piano prodigy Franny, living in a sleepy farm town watching her talents go to waste - until a mysterious Russian woman awakens the town's fears. But Franny sees her as a ticket out of town: can she defy the town's prejudices to see a way out?

Frances Hansen is a child piano prodigy - or that's what her dad thinks, anyway. She loves the way she feels when she plays, but it feels pointless to practice when there's no one in Rusty Nail, Minnesota to play for. When it's announced that an important visitor is coming to town, Frances sees it as her only chance to become "discovered" . . . but she has a tough enemy in Nancy "Prancy" Orilee, the richest girl in town, who also wants to be a pianist sensation. The author has captured small-town-in-the-Midwest life to an almost uncanny perfection. The book had me laughing aloud more than once! It was completely witty and delightful, and the descriptions and characters were all a joy to read. Lesley M. M. Blume is a rising star in children's literature, and you most certainly won't want to miss her new and dazzling story of a small-town girl with big dreams.

Franny and Sandy are enchantingly naughty without being purposely "bad". They just like to have a good time. Their friendship; the rivalry between Franny and the snooty Nancy; Franny's pianistic aspirations, so out of the ordinary for the time and place she is growing up; the mysterious and haughty Olga...the book has a well woven and well thought-out plot progression and is written in great style. It's funny, it's touching, it's a great book!