This book is loosely based on real events in the early 70s in the southern US. Although I wasn’t around in the 70s and haven’t spent a lot of time in the southern part of the United States, this book felt like being picked up and transported to that time and place.

Josephine is the kind of character that is both lovable and infuriating at the same time — in a good way. I completely understand why the adults around her, especially her mother, and sometimes exasperated by her attitude and antics. She’s grappling with big emotions in a real, relatable way. Her level of understanding of the world around her is age-appropriate, with her sometimes not understanding the complexity of the situations around her. This naivety, however, allows her to accomplish things and make friends in a way that only an eleven-year-old could. She’s angry, judgmental and impulsive — and yet hopeful, determined, and kind. She makes up a beautiful, complicated package that makes her jump off the page like she’s a real person.

The setting too is vivid and complex. There are lots of little mentions about what life in the trailer park or in their nice home before was like. The characters surrounding them mention details that make the world feel lived in with great parts and disappointing or unfair elements.

I had two minor qualms with the book. I’m not sure how many kids are clamoring to read about the 1970s, and the nostalgia elements are likely to be lost on them. That and the darker elements, particularly the author’s note about the real-life events involving children going missing and being murdered, are pretty dark.

Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the vividness of the characters and setting, but sensitive readers should be aware of the subject matter.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions are my own and were not influenced by receiving a copy.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book.

Personally as an adult I really enjoyed it. I think the characters were plucky, and the sense of imperfect found family I was a fan of. I loved that Josephine’s mom does try and get her to behave. So many middle grade books have children running amuck with no real consequences. I also appreciate that Josephine’s plans to run away and solve things on her own are thwarted forcing her to rely on adults. She does get a hero moment, but still has to suffer consequences there too.

My mixed feelings come from the fact that when I was the age of middle grader, I would have found this book fascinating, but I’m not sure as a responsible adult I can recommend it for a middle grade audience.

First, there are so many 70s references that will go over kid's heads (some went over my head and I had to look them up). This isn’t a content issue, I just think it might take them out of the story.

Second, this book deals with HARD topics. Terminal cancer, kidnapping, running cons, absent parents, hoarding, and more. While I’m not for shielding kids from hard things completely, this felt like a lot for this age group. Specifically the kidnapping elements.

Lastly, the tone felt more mature than a middle grade book. I even looked up if this was indeed middle grade or if it was adult fiction with a middle grade protagonist. Maybe it was the references or the subject matter making me think that, but either way, I would only hand this only to more mature/older middle grade readers.

Overall, if you are planning on handing this to a middle grader, read it prior so you know what you are getting them into and you can discuss it with them.

Content Note: This book loosely follows the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, deals with another kidnapping, terminal cancer, parental absence, childbirth, con men, hoarding, and bullying.

Thanks to Holiday House for the digital copy. All opinions are my own.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

It took a little bit to get into this story. I found the 1970s as a historical funny and a little sad as I was a child in the 70s but I did learn about the 70s in a way I did not understand back then. This is sweet.

The description of this book is going to make it sound like a mystery or a thriller. It's not, really. Yes, Josephine is looking into a kidnapping. But much more than that, this is a book about a girl learning to deal with changed circumstances. It's getting to know new people and adjusting to what life has put in your path. It's learning to be kind even when people are difficult. This is a character driven novel that takes Josephine from a not altogether likeable person to a more complex individual. While there are some less believable elements to the plot it is ultimately a well developed plot with a near timeless quality to the details.

Its a cozy and fun read . The story format is great . The writing style was also great . Recommended to everyone.

Sweetness All Around tells the story of Josephine and her mother, after they have to move from their comfortable apartment to a trailer park, following a change in their financial circumstances. Headstrong Josephine is not at all happy with the situation and doesn't hold back in making sure her mother knows this. Their relationship is really nicely written and I loved their conversations.

Two encounters start to change things for Josephine: the meeting of Lisa Marie, a new neighbour the same age as Josephine and the discovery that another girl, Molly, from another trailer in the park, was abducted around a year ago. Josephine decides that it is up to her to find Molly and eventually involves the rest of the community, which it turns out, isn't as bad as she first thought.

I really enjoyed this book and read it pretty much in one sitting. The author has crammed so much in that, at points, I was worried I was nearing the end of the book as so much had happened, but I'd look and see I was only 40% through, which was lovely!

I was surprised, when I checked back, to see that this was a middle grade novel. I'd forgotten downloading it and when reading, I'd assumed it was an adult book as some of the themes and descriptions didn't seem very child friendly. I don't mean that there was anything wildly appropriate, just that I wasn't sure a child would necessarily follow what was going on.

✰ 4.25 stars ✰

“They got stories that’d break your heart. Wouldn’t know it to look at ’em, would you?”

“No,” Josephine agreed.

“We all got them kinda stories, ladybug. But there is sweetness in this life,” Lucas said. “Look for it and you’ll see it. You just got to look for it, Josephine.”

Loosely based on the real-life events that occurred in the early 70's in Southern United States, Sweetness All Around is the story of eleven-year-old Josephine and how she learns to adjust to living in a trailer park home with her mother, while trying to help one of her new neighbors track down her missing daughter. It may have been the author's first attempt at Middle Grade fiction, but her poignant and clever writing had a certain wholesome appeal to it that I found so immensely satisfying that it captured my attention wholeheartedly. 👌🏻👌🏻

“And there it was, the feeling that their fates were somehow linked. A pinkie swear between them.

Get me home, and I’ll get you home, Molly seemed to be saying.”

This was an adventure of a read with a free-spirited young girl like Josephine at the center of it. I enjoyed that it was not only a coming-of-age story, but a suspenseful and intriguing mystery being led by an even more compelling protagonist. Josephine was interesting, but in a fun way. The writing really captured her emotions so vividly and realistically; actually, the writing was good, I liked how strong and sure it was with it was trying to convey. 👏🏻👏🏻 Caught between being angry with her mother for making them move into Happy World - a sad place with sad problems' and attempting to start a new friendship with Lisa Marie, a young girl so far beneath her that Josephine couldn't possibly fathom that they could ever be the best of friends, I found myself swept away with the promising and riveting writing style. It was refreshing and very catchy; the pacing was immaculate and the characters were really lively and original. 👍🏻👍🏻

I became a part of their little community and seeing how Josephine's outlook on her new surroundings was quite believable. 'It would be good to leave. It would be awful to leave. It would be both at once. And maybe it would be like Redbud Avenue, memories following her wherever she went, reminding her of things. Reminding her of people.' Because that's what happens - it's not the place that makes the home, it's the people in it. Also, as I'm not a child from the 70's, I really appreciated the subtle nuances that the author mentioned so lightly, but still evoked a sense of feeling for that time period.

The clever dialogue with the humorous undertones, the struggling work force, the enthusiastic Church gatherings, the cozy diners - all the little details were enough to make me feel like I had been transported back to those days. And yet, there is still a heavy and grim weight in the shadows - one that serves as a guiding force to the story. The gravitas of Josephine's search for Molly plays an integral part to her character development and one that propelled many of the significant relationships that she had. 🥺🥺

“Goodness, Jo, you scared me. Don’t go throwing books, especially ones that don’t belong to you.”

“I’m writing my own stories where nothing bad happens ever.”

“Then it’ll be a mighty boring book. Terrible things happen, Jo. That’s part of life. It’s also what makes stories exciting to read.”

“You’re a seamstress,” Josephine pointed out. “You don’t know anything about book writing.”

“I’m a reader,” Mama said, “and I know what makes a book interesting.”

She really doesn't hold back from saying what she's thinking! 😅 Josephine spoke from her heart and she felt from every fiber of her being very real and true emotions that channeled all her thoughts and feelings about everything that was happening around her. She may have been a bit curt sometimes, a bit too crude and uncaring, but her intentions were always from the right place. And when she does realize the errors of her actions and words, she does put in a genuine effort to redeem herself. She was still a child and she wanted to experience all the joys and pleasures of her youth, and she wanted to share it with others, too - ones who have lost those moments of innocence. 'When we lose the kid in here — we might as well turn out the lights, ’cause the party’s over.' She was plucky, headstrong, steadfast and had a lot of grit; she was honest to a fault, that landed her in a lot of hot water with the people around her, especially with her mother.

Their relationship was one of my favorites and really was the centerpiece of this story. Mama was a hard-working seamstress and deeply cared for Josephine's well-being, but was not above board to advise Josephine how ill-advised her behavior was at times. Their dynamic was really fun to watch, their banter sharp and quick as a whip - because Josephine didn't mince her words with her mother. But, neither did Mama and I think that's what made them such a great team and still be such a strong and caring pair. 'And she did love her mother, so much so that sometimes it gave her a painful ache in her heart. Not just her heart, but a deeper place that had no name.' 🤍🤍 As the story progresses, she does go the extra mile for her daughter - placing both of them in the face of danger, because she believed in Josephine's courage.

“I want to wear this dress every day for the rest of my life,” Lisa Marie said, and did a twirl.

“Now is not the time for twirling,” Josephine snapped. “Don’t you know anything?”

“I know you’re right hateful sometimes. I sure do know that,” Lisa Marie said, and did another twirl.

I adored Lisa Marie and Josephine's friendship - they were so good together and became such real friends! 😊 Two girls - polar opposites, but became each other's right-hand, the apple to her eye - the Butch to her Sundance. It was in the way that Josephine saw the difference in their upbringings, resented her for it, often times mocked and ridiculed her for it, but it was how she realized how wrong she was in her way of thinking - how less fortunate Lisa Marie has been her entire life - that makes their friendship become even stronger. Lisa Marie was a spitfire of her own, and when she was upset at some of Josephine's insensitive comments, I hurt for her, too. But, it was their shared determination in finding out what happened to Molly - that heady sense of adventure and longing to bring this lost girl home - 'one thing led to another. Like a tightrope walk, one wrong move could lead to disaster. One misstep and your whole life was changed forever.' 🙁

I realize now, that this may be a rather dark read for younger readers; it probably was not for me, because well, I'm not young. But, I do believe it was still very well-written and it flowed beautifully. And I learned something; as harrowing as the inspiration is behind this story, I learned about an unfortunate event in history, which it hurt to read about. I only wish that there are more true stories that get the hopeful and happy ending that this story was able to deliver. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Sweetness All Around is a new middle grade book by author Suzanne Supplee. Ten-year-old Josephene is unhappy when financial troubles force her to move with mother from a nice rental into the Happy World Trailer Park, " The Dandiest Little Place on Earth!" It is neither happy nor dandy and Josephine is mad that her world has turned upside down. She makes friends with Lisa Marie, a young girl who lives with her grandfather and fatally ill uncle. The girl tells her about another girl, Molly, who was kidnapped by her father and grandmother the year beforehand. Josephine becomes obsessed with Molly and is convinced that somehow, she must find the girl and bring her home. Although the book centers around the main character’s obsession with the missing girl, this is not a mystery. The reader knows the identity of the kidnappers and the motive, just not the location of the girl. This novel is actually a coming of age story. Josephine comes to realize that although her new circumstances are not ideal, unlike Lisa Marie and Molly, she is with a mother who loves her and takes care of her. At times, she is embarrassed by Lisa Marie’s clothes and manners, but she grows to consider her a true friend. She grows a lot during the time frame of the story and learns to “appreciate the sweetness all around.”

Supplee has created a large cast of characters who populate the trailer park. They each have details included that help bring them to life. The author has done a fantastic job of setting time and place in this historic novel. Set in 1974, the kidnapping and brainwashing of Patty Hearst on the television news and discussed in conversations sets a backdrop for the kidnapping closer to home. Supplee recreates her youth with mentions of icons from that era. Richard Nixon, Donny Osmond records, Tiger Beat magazine, slip and slides, Barbie doll play sets and “Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific" shampoo all set the stage with nostalgic accuracy. These details may go unheeded by a young reader, but as someone who lived through the era, they brought a smile to my face.

I was fortunate to receive an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher Holiday House, Peachtree through NetGalley. I am so glad that I did. I loved this fantastic book and recommend it for girls in third grade and above.

Parents may want to know that the book does deal with death of a loved one and missing children. The afterward includes a frank note about missing and exploited children along with some contacts available to those in need.

The story follows Josephine who is unhappy about moving to her new home. She is entangled or gets herself tangled to the kidnapping of her neighbour and how she handles it is the main story. The writing is engaging. The Protagonist is adorable and nosy. Overall a good speedy read.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

this was amazing, not a 5 star but still good regardless, I liked it a lot

thank you netgalley for the arc

Sweetness All Around follows almost-11-year-old Josephine after she as to move from her nice, rented house to the broken-down happy world trailer park- dandiest little place on earth! But it feels anything but dandy. Josephine misses her big room, all her toys and the tv set. She is miserable until she learns of the disappearance of Molly Quiver. A girl her own age who got kidnapped by her father. Jo becomes obsessed with finding Molly, convinced she will be her new best friend.

This book explores community dynamics very well. Jo's relationship with the trailer park and its residents changes and shifts as new events unfold at the trailer park. The character growth that she goes through may be painful but it's satisfying to watch her become a part of the trailer park community. I also thought Suzanne Supplee did a good job of building the world of the 70s for contemporary kids/readers. I didn't feel out of place reading, but rather transported into Jo’s world.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Almost eleven years old, Josephine is not excited to be moving to a trailer park with her mom. However, she soon becomes obsessed with finding a girl who was kidnapped a few months earlier from the trailer park. As she interviews her neighbors, she realizes that there are a lot of good people around her and maybe this place isn't so bad.

I liked the plot here, but I felt like the writing felt so serious. I was expecting a little more cheer or lightheartedness since this is for middle grades.

I enjoyed this book but didn't really love it. I think that is really just down to a personal preference thing though because it is well written and dynamic characters. I found the subject a little grim for a middle grade book since it revolves around kidnapping.

Josephine is a well written main character that has her share of flaws but finds a way to also be redeemable. She feels authentic and you are rooting for her throughout. Lisa Marie was also very well developed and I just wanted to reach out and hug the poor girl and all she has been through. You feel for all of the residents of Happy World Trailer Park because it really does seem like nothing is going right for them but in the end both reader and Josephine come to realize there is something magical and wonderful about living there and having each other's backs.

The setting of the 1970's is a bit before my time so some of the nostalgia was lost on me and would be even more so on a middle grade reader. I did kind of picture everything with a golden filter on it though (sort of like the cover) and could picture it in my mind since the author did such a excellent job painting that picture.

The author's note was one part that I wish wasn't there as it discusses some of the real life happenings that inspired the author and again would be hard to read for some sensitive readers. I would be upset if my child had read that and not known that missing children and murder were to be discussed so frankly. Again, it's a personal preference thing.

Overall it was a interesting book with all the summer vibes of DQ and slip and slides and wandering around outside trying to find something to get into.

I received an advanced reader copy of the ebook through Netgalley and the publisher Holiday House in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sweetness All Around
by Suzanne Supplee
Pub Date 24 Oct 2023
Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink,Holiday House
Children's Fiction| Middle Grade| Mystery & Thrillers


Using Netgalley and Holiday House, I reviewed Sweetness All Around:


Josephine is not pleased about moving into the Happy World trailer park over the summer of 1974. Missing her beautiful bedroom with ballerinas on the wall and her pretty, well-dressed friends. Happy World isn’t happy. It's dark and depressing! This isn't the world that headstrong Josephine envisioned.


When Josephine learns that her neighbor in Happy World was kidnapped months ago, she develops a begrudging interest in the house. Clearly, Josephine is meant to find Molly, ten years old, after her kidnapping. 


Josephine investigates Molly's disappearance with help from the eccentric characters living in Happy World. It turns out the rough edges of her community are softer and sweeter than they appear. The unexpected friendships she forms might be more valuable than anything she owns.


A small Tennessee town and its memorable residents come alive in Suzanne Supplee's extraordinary middle grade debut. Dreamers and unstoppable imaginations will love it. Fans of Kate DiCamillo's Raymie Nightingale series will love this book.


I give Sweetness All Around five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Wow! This middle grade story set in the 1970s completely surprised me! The writing is perfect, the characters are multi-dimensional and interesting, Josephine's voice is authentic, and the pop culture references added a layer of fun. I also appreciated the ways Supplee examined perceptions of poverty and class systems in the United States. Highly recommend this book!

ARC Copy...Overall impression was, thought it was a sweet and cozy coming of age which anyone from any era (besides the main setting of the 70s) can relate to and bottles life in a small town during the 70s also.

It’s 1974 and Josephine and mom have moved to a trailer park, and she’s not happy until she makes a new friend Lisa Marie. Josephine finds out Molly was kidnapped by her dad and grandmother almost a year ago, and she wants to find out what happened. When Josephine sees a mysterious postcard she wonders is it from Molly sending a message. Do they find Molly?

Almost 11 years old, and bright beyond her years, Josephine is deeply unhappy with her situation. And who can blame her really? What her mother euphemistically refers to as their change in circumstances has meant that they have had to leave their beautiful home and move into a trailer park.

And contrary to what the sign at the entrance to the Happy World trailer park says, Josephine does not think that it is indeed one of the dandiest places out there! But a devastating warehouse fire has badly impacted Josephine's mother's finances and her business as a seamstress, so there is no option but for the mother and daughter duo to get used to these unwelcome new surroundings.


Which, by the way, turn out to be more interesting than Josephine initially thought. Because in addition to meeting Lisa Marie, who is the same age as she is and lives in a nearby trailer, Josephine also hears about the kidnapping of 10-year-old Molly sometime ago, from another neighbouring trailer. So maybe her own life isn't the worst after all?

Be that as it may, Josephine becomes obsessed with the idea that she is meant to find Molly and bring her home. But in the course of her efforts, what she discovers is that the person she might most unexpectedly bring home is in fact herself...

Suplee does a wonderful job of bringing time and place alive in this book. Josephine is a memorable MC - smart, headstrong and full of character. But the trailer park is also inhabited by a whole bunch of interesting characters, and this story is full of heart. Clearly, when you know where to look for it, sweetness IS all around. I loved this story.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review