Carrying Mason (ZonderKidz, 2011) by Joyce Magnin was a touching story with a strong female lead. It’s also a historical novel set in the late 1950s.
Thirteen-year-old Luna has lost her best friend Mason. She really wants to help carry his casket, despite her daddy saying only men are pall bearers. After the funeral, Luna realizes more needs carrying–Mason’s mother. Luna is brave, caring, and fortunately, stubborn enough to resist Aunt Sapphire.
I love what Joyce says about this book on her website: “I wrote Carrying Mason because I wanted to deal with a child who needed and wanted to be challenged and to go against conventional wisdom in order to discover just how strong she really was. Carrying Mason deals with death and loss but that is not the focal point of the story. Luna’s journey to adulthood is the point.”
Booklist said about this book, “Delivers a positive message about standing up for those who cannot advocate for themselves.” Don’t miss it.
I recommended another of Joyce’s books here.
Tag: Joyce Magnin
Jelly Bean Summer
Jelly Bean Summer (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017) by Joyce Magnin is one of those pull-you-through reads. Once I got started with this historical middle grade novel, I didn’t want to put it down.
It’s 1968 and Joyce Anne and her sister Elaine are not getting along. In fact, Joyce is so desperate to get out of their shared bedroom, and out of the house where everyone shares the grief over brother Bud being missing in Vietnam, she moves up to the roof. From the roof she meets an older boy and finds something to occupy her summer away from crazy UFO-believer Elaine and her squealing guinea pig.
The book has humor, pathos, and a satisfying ending.
Author Joyce has two other middle grade novels out and also writes for adults. You can read all about her here.