Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

 Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

It's been a couple of months since I read this and now I've forgotten the details. I try to organize my thoughts about a book as soon as I've finished it, but have been plagued with interruptions and distractions lately. What I do remember is enjoying reading it.

CeeCee is 7 yrs old as the story opens, and living with her unstable mother and uninvolved father. When her mother is hit and killed by an ice-cream truck, her father decides CeeCee is too much for him and hands her off to Great Aunt Tootie. This turns out to be the kind of fairytale-come-true that only happens in books. Tootie is kind, gentle, loving, generous, and wealthy. She has a cook, Oletta, and wonderful neighbours who come to love and be a family to CeeCee. 

I wouldn't call it fluff as it does touch on more serious themes - family dysfunction, racism and mental health - but with lots of down-home wisdom and a few life lessons sprinkled throughout, it is a sweet story. 

A little unrealistic but very pleasant reading.