Capp Street Carnival

by Sandra Dutton

A girl with Appalachian roots has plans for her Cincinnati neighborhood

Eleven-year-old Mary Mae Krebs dreams of being a famous singer-songwriter someday. And it's going to be made possible by her great-granny's guitar and box of music. But as much as Mary Mae thinks about her future, she's also got a heart big enough to worry about other folks and their futures. She's organizing a carnival to benefit Little Lukey, a two-year-old boy with a heart murmur, and she's worried about the family's boarder, Annabelle. Annabelle's been like an older sister to Mary Mae, so Mary Mae hates to see her making bad choices when it comes to love. But nudging Annabelle in the right direction means opposing a mighty Mary Mae's mother. Mrs. Krebs is convinced that Leroy, assistant manager of the Rise'n'Shine Poultry Company, is the man for Annabelle. Mary Mae doesn't like Leroy at all, and things start looking a whole lot worse when he and Annabelle get engaged.

In a laugh-out-loud story about bluegrass, love, and a carnival, Sandra Dutton introduces readers to a plucky young girl who is sure to get heartstrings thrumming.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2003

About the author

Sandra Dutton is a writer, artist, and playwright who was born in Springfield, Missouri, grew up in Norwood, Ohio, and has lived in California, Kentucky, New York, Maine, and Savannah, Georgia. She has published poetry and essays as well as seven books for children, including her latest, "A Wheelchair That Flies," "Dear Miss Perfect: A Beast's Guide to Proper Behavior" and "Mary Mae and the Gospel Truth," which was recommended by the National Center for Science Education. She also wrote the book and lyrics and designed the scenery for "Just a Matter of Time," a musical that debuted in Times Square. She directed a production at Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre to sold-out audiences. Sandra has a Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition and a B.A. in fine arts. Her paintings were the subject of a feature story by Beth Logan in "Connect Savannah," and she has had one-woman shows at the Taylor Galley and Gallery Espresso in Savannah. She is married to the writer, Wayne Sheridan, and they are happy to make their home in Savannah. For more information: www.SandraDutton.com and www.SandraDuttonFineArt.com