A Song of Home by Susie Finkbeiner…
The third book in the Pearl Spence series.
I came to know Pearl Spence first in A Cup of Dust. Tensions mount, Secrets are revealed, and danger arises for Pearl.
In A Trail of Crumbs, I really fell in love with the spunky and brave little girl Pearl was really developing into. Pearl and her mama and daddy move to Bliss Michigan along with Pearl’s best friend Ray whom her parents take in and take care of. The move is both difficult and exciting for Pearl, a new start for their family. But, it is mostly just difficult and depressing for mama. Upon their arrival in Bliss, Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus play a pivotal and supportive role in Pearl and Ray’s lives. (Everyone should have an Aunt Carrie!) Mama continues to struggle with both the move and the death of Beanie, their other daughter. Throughout this book, mama makes poor choices and doesn’t behave mush like a mama should, I found myself wanting to “talk some sense” into her! Pearl discovers the library and often escapes there, and into the pages of a book; usually an adventure book. (I love the role the library, the elderly librarian, and books played in this book!) With a bit of a shocking event for the era, Mama leaves her home, her husband, her family, and the town of Bliss as Pearl struggles to understand why mama left her.
The story of Pearl culminates in A Song of Home, Just when it seems that Pearl, daddy, and Ray with the help of Opal and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus, are doing well, Mama returns home to a bit of an underwhelming greeting. Neither Pearl, nor daddy like the way mama changes back household routines or the fact that she sends Opal packing. Prejudice abounds, everyone’s patience is tested, and another shocking revelation is revealed! Pearl and mama’s relationship is complicated. And mama once again has to go away but through patience, faith and forgiveness throughout the most trying of times, Pearl will have a happy ending.
A story of loss, betrayal, hope, and forgiveness; Susie elicits deep emotions within the reader as they cheer on, grieve with, yell at, cry over, and fall in love with the characters! Susie is a true story teller!

Susie Finkbeiner has written a book that teases out the meaning of home. Pearl Spence is in a new place and trying to feel a sense of home. The story takes place in 1935. Pearl’s family has moved from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to a small town in Michigan.

Pearl is a thoughtful girl, eleven years old. Through her eyes we see the complex troubles in her home and town. Her relationship with her mother has painful wounds. Will Bliss, Michigan ever feel like home? She attends school and church, but has deep distress over her mother's choices. She is a reader and finds comfort in the local library. Stories linger in her mind; her musings about life are touching.

Opal Moon brings some order to the Spence household. She offers friendship to Pearl and gives her an outlet for her energy. With music streaming from the radio, Opal teaches Pearl the new dance steps. (I learned about the Swing Era.)

Other women provide guidance for Pearl. Aunt Carrie is a rock of stability. Mrs. Trask, the librarian, has a gentle kindness. Meemaw isn’t physically present, but her words of wisdom come back to Pearl. Pearl makes a connection between lessons from the Bible and events taking place in her life.

A Song of Home is a well-crafted story of love, forgiveness and hope.