Lucy Come Home ~ A Book Review

Book Info

About the book: Lucy Come Home  by Dave and Neta Jackson Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan's sugar beet fields in the early 1940s -- the "war years" -- until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate -- and a dead field boss-- sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind family and everything she'd ever known. Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series, is a veteran of Chicago streets and not about to give up her independence, even as she approaches her 80th birthday. Until, that is, a young displaced woman with her gentle aging mother and a dog named Dandy seem to need her -- unsettling the secretive Lucy, who doesn't let anyone get too close. But just when it seems her past is catching up with her to bring her in out of the cold... Lucy disappears again. How these two tales intersect and intertwine between past and present gradually shines light into the dark corners of Lucy's murky past. But... why won't Lucy come home? About Dave and Neta:  Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set. As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. Visit http://www.daveneta.com for more info. {What I thought about the book!!} Reading this book was a nice change for me. It didn't quite fit in with the majority of the fiction books I read. I enjoyed the change immensely! The chapters were done in a way where you bounced back and forth from the past to the present. It helped weave together for the reader the life of Lucy, the 80 year old homeless woman in Chicago.  For me it was a sweet reminder that every one of us has a story to tell and every one of us has something to give to others around us. It is surprising who we can learn from and where we can learn it. Gabby learns that in this novel. This is an wonderful extension of the Yada Yada  novels and you will recognize things in it if you are familiar with them. I can't say that Lucy is one of my favorite characters, but  she grows on you. She has a temperament that kinda gets to you, but after learning about  her life you realize why. She is tossed into some unusual situations at a young age. She had to learn on the run and it toughened her up considerably. After reading this book I don't think any reader could go away without thinking twice when they look at a homeless person. It will make you want to know why they are living the way they are and what brought them to that point.  I think you would enjoy reading this book. Just keep in mind that some of it is written in the first person. I know my oldest son has a hard time with that and i love to warn people ahead of time. I received a copy of the book from Dave & Neta Jackson through Litfuse for review purposes. I was not compensated in any way other than receiving a copy of the book. All opinions expressed here are my own!