The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock is firmly set in a time (1970's) and place (Alaska), but it deals with universal experiences and emotions.  Debut author Hitchcock has crafted multiple teenage narrators, most of whom are appealingly innocent and naïve in regards to adult concerns and the hardships of poverty.

Ruth, Dora, Alyce and Hank each tell a portion of the story – of lost parents, abuse, thwarted dreams, and a desperate run for freedom. They are seeking love, a family, to follow a passion, and to find an identity, albeit in different ways. Their stories ebb and flow like the rivers in the fishing areas where much of the action takes place. As they grow and mature and begin to explore outside of themselves and their community, they have those eye-opening experiences whereby they learn that not everyone’s house/family is the same. Other people’s houses do, in fact, have different smells, different rituals, different values. I think the stories of these characters and their families and friends will intrigue teens, although the multiple narrators do add to the complexity of the story, making it somewhat difficult to follow at times.  Hitchcock pulls readers into these teens’ lives, draws out the potential consequences, and then (too?) neatly wraps up the suddenly intertwined events.

The Smell of Other People's Houses received starred reviews from Booklist and Voya and was called “an excellent debut” by School Library Journal.  I expect that it will be nominated for a number of state award lists and we will see much more from Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock.

Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon

Flight of Dreams is another impressive work of historical fiction by Ariel Lawhon.  About 2 years ago, I had been captivated by her The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress and have been looking forward to this new title. Flight of Dreams is also set in the 1930s; it deals with actual events tied to the Hindenburg disaster. Once again, Lawhon shares a mystery story from multiple perspectives and adeptly develops the lives and potential motivations of those involved.  The Navigator, The Cabin Boy, The American, The Journalist and The Stewardess all separately narrate interconnecting events from May 3 to May 6, 1937, dates of the Hindenburg’s last flight. 

Even though the reader realizes that this flight will end tragically (35 fatalities amongst the 97 passengers and crew), suspense mounts.  The story overflows with secrets, with references to Nazi soldiers and threats to Jewish passengers and crew, with details on airship technology and travel, with the need for revenge and with romance and love. 

I wanted to learn more about all of the people involved in this disaster and, like Lawhon, turned to the blog by Patrick B. Russell, Faces of the Hindenburg.  Save that, though, until you have finished the book – the blog is filled with actual photos and life stories and is fascinating in itself.  Flight of Dreams is called “suspenseful and fun” by Kirkus Reviews and I am highly recommending this title.