I received this book in exchange for an honestreview. You can purchase your copy here:https://www.amazon.com/Heebie-Jeebie-Girl-Susan-Petrone-ebook/dp/B082DK1GBX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LK0FD7BTRYMR&dchild=1&keywords=heebie+jeebie+girl&qid=1600351869&sprefix=heebi%2Caps%2C256&sr=8-1 This book begins in August 1977, what a good timeof year! This book starts from the point of view of Joe. Hope had given thefirst lottery number to him. Joe was fixing the neighbor 1972 Charger becausehe hated having to tinker with it on a daily basis so that the neighbor could takethree other guys to work. Joe is a good guy, he doesn’t want people to losetheir jobs because they cannot get to work on time, so he decided to rebuild acarburetor. If you know anything about cars, this isn’t an easy task like paintingyour nails, there is a lot of work that goes into rebuilding one of these. Iknow, as a child, I helped my dad by fetching tools or just watching him in awas he did these things. Hope is such a special little girl, she sees things thatothers do not. Joe did not listen to Hope and so she got bored and went to tellher Grandmother. Her Grandmother had to go to the store so she took Hope withher and they played the number and guess what was the winning number? Yup, youguessed it. When you are on a fixed income, coming up with the numbers is morethan just being lucky, it makes a HUGE difference. When you win BIG money, alot of people come looking for you. If you look at any situation where anyonewon big money, they tend to take a long time to claim it. It isn’t because theydon’t want it, it is because many things need to go into effect before you getall that money. You need to hire lawyers, money managers, security, etc. Thesethings in themselves cost a lot of money. When people have money, other peoplesee opportunity, opportunity to steal from the suddenly rich. Mo money-mo problems-Notorious B.I.G said it best. Look at him now! We are taken on the journey ofthe more problems and more money part of this story. It was a very interestingperspective on life from the beginning of the book to the end! So the next time you think about winning the lottery, think about all the people that will suddenly come out of the woodwork as well.

Honestly, I found this book a bit heavy going at first; this novel set in 1970s Youngstown, Ohio explores the closing of a steel mill radically changes the lives of many people. The effects on the 3 main characters are explored sensitively and deftly, bringing this upsetting time in the United States to the forefront and giving a view into the changes wrought by the loss of this industry. Difficult to get into, but worth it...only my opinion.

STAY HOME & READ: THE HEEBIE-JEEBIE GIRL BY SUSAN PETRONE
Ohio, 1977. Between the closing of the city’s largest steel mill and the worst blizzard in more than 40 years, the table is set for remarkable change. Unemployed steel worker Bobby Wayland is trying hard to help his family and still pay for his wedding, but the only solution he can think of involves breaking the law. On the other side of town, a little girl named Hope is keeping a big secret, one she won’t even share with her Great Uncle Joe―she can make things move without touching them. Watching over both of them is the city herself, and she has something to say and something to do about all of this.

The Heebie-Jeebie Girl is the story of an era ending and the uncertainty that awakens. It’s the story of what happens when the unconscionable meets the improbable. It’s the story of dreams deferred, dreams devoured, and dreams dawning. It is likely to be the most distinctive novel you read this year, but it will startle you with its familiarity. Author Susan Petrone has created an unforgettable tale of family, redemption, and magic.

I was originally attracted to The Heebie-Jeebie Girl by Susan Petrone because of the time period, 1970’s of my youth, and the location, Youngstown-a place very different than my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy from NetGalley and started reading it almost immediately.

I waited to post a review until closer to publication, which happens to be today (for the ebook at least).

I have somewhat mixed feelings, I really enjoyed the novel because of the characters. They seemed real and multi-dimensional and they brought something of Youngstown with them. The story draws you in and makes you like the characters, root for them (even the “bad guy”). And the magical realism related to the young girl adds an element of suspense and intrigue.

I really didn’t care for the voice of the city itself, however, who is interjected into to the story. I am not sure what that voice brings to the story other than a voice outside the story and an attempt at humor. The city is a character in the story without having to have a specific voice, in my opinion.

But this flaw is not a big enough drag to ruin an otherwise well done story of family, community, tragedy and a little magic.

Some reviews disagree, as Larry Smith in his review at The New York Journal of Books has this to say

Most remarkable is her use of her hometown Youngstown as a lively, ironic, yet blunt critic-observer.

But I agree with is conclusion (which I think overcomes any weakness of the voice of the city)

And so, it’s a story about a working-class city, one among a great many, yet what compels one to keep reading is the rich characterizations of Hope, and Joe, and, surprise, even Bobby who knocks Grandma down the stairs while posing as the water man. Remarkably we move from despising him to caring about his fate.

This may be the real gift of this book and its real magic, Susan Petrone’s moving us from indifference to understanding and caring for others and our world, and that’s a very real transformation.

If you are looking for a compelling read while you are doing your part by staying home, you could do worse than The Heebie-Jeebie Girl. Heck, the Mahoning Valley is a pretty relevant part of the country right now and this is a painless way to get a sense of its people, history and culture.

Unfortunately for me this novel was slow for my liking. I’m very sorry. But the concept was amazing. I would recommend this for people who enjoy a slower build. Maybe someone who wants to get into literary fiction.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

"The Heebie-Jeebie Girl is the story of an era ending and the uncertainty that awakens. It's the story of what happens when the unconscionable meets the improbable. "

Is it because Hope gives everyone the HEEBIE- JEEBIES this book got its title? Because she doesn't, not really. I liked the simple and unassuming magical-ness of Hope. Nice background feeling of the city and era. Good read.

3☆

Another one of those times when I wish we had half stars for our ratings. This is a 3,5, but I'm just gonna round it down to a 3.

Even though it took me a bit (up until the 25% mark) to get into this book, when it happened I forgot I was even reading a book that was bound to end at some point, and I was shocked to see that I was already at 70%, deeply invested in the characters. The book is a modest 192 pages, but it feels even shorter than that, the pages just flew by at one point.

I loved, and let me say that again, L O V E D that Youngstown was a character with actual lines in this, and those lines were not only snarky and hilarious, but also provided some context or background info that we wouldn't be getting otherwise. The comedic timing of those bits was unbelievable, and the decision to include Youngstown as a character was ingenious. 10/10.

So, if I was invested in the characters, the writing was great enough for that to happen, and I generally enjoyed my time with this book, why does it get a measly 3,5 from me? Honestly, I'm not sure why. Probably because I wish it were longer so it'd leave a bigger impression on me (basically: I wish I could have spent more time with those characters), and I didn't much care for the climax SPOILER!!!! when Hope confronts Billy, the entire "holes on the road" bit END SPOILER . I also think it may have been a bit forgettable (but only time will tell for sure)

Growing up in a small town not too far from Youngstown, I knew this was a book I needed to read. Youngstown is “home.” It is familiar. And, quite frankly, nothing is ever set in Youngstown because it’s a small city compared to places like Chicago, Miami, or New York City. Youngstown is often overlooked, forgotten, or unheard of.

Between the worst blizzard in 40 years and the steel mills closing, laying off hundreds-maybe thousands-of workers, Youngstown and her people are hopeful yet desperate for a change, and for things to start looking up again.

Hope, an 8-year-old girl with powers to pull the winning lottery numbers, is trying to figure out who broke into her grandmother’s house and stole her winnings. Bobby Wayland, a man who was laid off from the steel mill but trying to find a way to still pay for his wedding, is desperate and all he can come up with to get the money he needs is to break the law and break into the house of the little old woman he saw cashing in her lottery tickets. He pretends to be a worker for the water department, and with a friend in tow, weasel their way into Delores’s house and steal about $10,000. Unfortunately, while breaking into her house, Bobby bumps into Delores on the steps and knocks her down, breaking her hip. She is then hospitalized and ultimately dies while trying to recover. Devastated, Hope sets out with her Uncle Joe to try and find the men who hurt and robbed her grandmother.

This story is maybe a little more fantasy than I had expected, and more fantasy than I like to read, but for this story, it worked. The city of Youngstown was personified, watching and listening to her people, telling the reader some of the back story of the characters, the steel mills, the history. I was glad to see that Youngstown is not just some little city in Ohio, but it’s a place where people live, and work, and a place that people love.

The only thing I did not enjoy about this book-and maybe this is petty- but the number of places, street names, landmarks, etc. that seemed to just be placed haphazardly into the story. Yes, these places are real, and they are a piece of Youngstown. And maybe the point was to make sure the reader is certain that this story is set in Youngstown instead of any other city of a similar size. I can appreciate the fact that the city is being given the credit that the author felt was due, but it just seemed a little too much for me.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and following Hope on her journey to find the man that did her grandmother wrong. The city personification was unique and refreshing, and it added a little extra element to the story.

I don't know that this could be called uplifting but it's certainly hopeful. This is really well written and worked for me, with all of the right elements for a good read. A simple, but elegantly told plot with well crafted characters with unpredictable aspects that helped keep me engaged. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Grandma Dolores died after thieves stole $10,000 from her house and pushed her down the steps. Her brother Joe and granddaughter Hope, the titular Heebie-Jeebie Girl, an eight year old blessed by the Virgin Mary with magical powers to move objects from Powerball numbers to concrete, set out on a journey into the industrial wasteland of Youngstown to track down the criminals. Overseeing their quest is the personification of Youngstown, an old woman mocked and derided yet full of pride and love. The Heebie-Jeebie Girl is a novel of masterful storytelling that kept me turning pages until justice was served.

This novel is about hope in a time of little hope in the steel town of Youngstown, Ohio. In fact, one of the narrators is a seven year old girl named Hope who attempts to use her "gift" to bring hope to her family. The novel is narrated by four characters, one of them the city of Youngstown. It has the flavor of regional flavor of writing of O'Henry, Mark Twain, or even Fannie Flagg. It is an engaging, simply wise, tale. Well worth the read!

3 1/2 stars. This book was a good pensive read. It was a bit dull at times, however the more quiet parts of the book did have a point and purpose, which was to set up other parts of the novel. I found this book to be really good, but not groundbreaking. I do find an intimate connection with this book, as I'm from Indiana and my mom was raised right outside Youngstown, Ohio (the setting of the story).

There are some great pull quotes, and I really enjoyed the different perspectives (i.e. Hope, Uncle Joe, etc). I also really liked that the transitions were properly labeled as well - which I can find to be very distracting if not done.