Cynthia DeFelice blinkt uit in het onderdompelen van lezers in de levens van haar personages, een vaardigheid die is aangescherpt door haar diepgewortelde liefde voor verhalen, gecultiveerd sinds haar kindertijd. Ze benadert haar schrijven met een toewijding aan eerlijkheid, puttend uit een diverse achtergrond die onder meer werk als boekverkoper en bibliothecaris omvat. DeFelice vindt diepe voldoening in het verbinden met haar publiek, waarbij ze een spectrum aan emoties oproept, van angst tot lachen, en nieuwe perspectieven stimuleert. Haar verteltalent is duidelijk in haar vermogen om jonge lezers te boeien en een blijvende indruk achter te laten.
The Striped Bass Derby holds special significance for twelve-year-old Ben Daggett, whose ambition is fueled by his father's status as the island's record holder. As he navigates the challenges of the competition, Ben is determined to surpass his father's achievement, showcasing themes of ambition, family legacy, and the personal stakes involved in the annual event cherished by the Martha's Vineyard community.
The story follows eleven-year-old Hadley as she explores the enigmatic light on Hogback Hill, leading her to a friendship with a hunchbacked old woman. Through their bond, Hadley uncovers the woman's tragic past, revealing themes of empathy, understanding, and the power of connection across generations.
The narrative centers on Jessamine Colter, a dedicated calligrapher who has documented her small town's history through her art for nearly fifty years. Her life takes on new meaning with the arrival of Callie Williams, a young girl who shares her enthusiasm for "fancy writing." This relationship blossoms into a deep bond, as Jessamine embraces her role as a mentor and protector, highlighting themes of love, legacy, and the preservation of community through art.
When Willie McPhee, the finest bagpipe player in all of Scotland, goes looking for customers who have a wee bit extra to spend on merriment, he finds more than he bargained for. On a cold, wet, miserable night, Willie trips over a tree trunk in the dark. Peering closer, he sees that the fallen tree isn't a tree at all, but a man, a DEAD man, lying stone cold frozen in the snow. "A-A-A-aaaaah!" screams Willie. But then he notices that the body is wearing some fine-looking boots.A poor man is a practical man, and so soon Willie has a shiny new pair of boots. He puts them to good use tricking a stingy farmer -- and then, in a startling twist, the original owner