That Smudge of Smoke

<p>Set in the Chesapeake Bay area in 1929 That Smudge of</p><p>Smoke by Edith M. Hemingway is a compelling work of</p><p>historical fiction.</p><p><br></p><p>After her mother dies suddenly twelve-and-a-half year old</p><p>Penelope Grace Sinclair (Piper) must go live aboard a</p><p>steamboat captained by her father. Before she saw her</p><p>father only twice a month when he was off-duty. Now she</p><p>must see him every day. </p><p><br></p><p>As Piper learns how to adjust to her father and grieve for her mother </p><p>she also learns about life and work on a steamboat just before the </p><p>Great Depression.</p><p><br></p><p>To keep her company Piper keeps a diary which she names</p><p>Dorie. Magically Dorie comes alive and tells her side of the</p><p>story too. Until a mysterious accident happens that separates</p><p>Dorie and Piper and all seems lost!</p><p><br></p><p>Then in 2015 a boy named Garrett who is struggling to</p><p>cope with his father's traumatic injury finds Dorie. Garrett</p><p>reads Piper's story bringing the past to life again. Because</p><p>of words and music families discover that the power of</p><p>friendship can carry them through hard times.</p><p><br></p><p>For fans of Lauren Wolk (Beyond the Bright Sea) and</p><p>Natalie Babbit (Tuck Everlasting) That Smudge of Smoke</p><p>weaves together fantasy and history to create a</p><p>heartwarming read for middle-school audiences.</p>