Feb 152012
 

With a Name Like Love      CONTEST DETAILS BELOW

Author: Tess Hilmo

Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books

Published: 2011

Hardcover: 249 pages

ISBN: 978-0-374-38465-4

FTC FYI: I received a free copy which did not affect my review.

Reviewed by Mindy

TESS IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF WITH A NAME LIKE LOVE.  DETAILS AFTER REVIEW!

Goodreads summary: When Ollie’s daddy, the Reverend Everlasting Love, pulls their travel trailer into Binder to lead a three-day revival, Ollie knows that this town will be like all the others they visit— it is exactly the kind of nothing Ollie has come to expect. But on their first day in town, Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel, whose mother is in jail for murdering his father. Jimmy insists that his mother is innocent, and Ollie believes him. Still, even if Ollie convinces her daddy to stay in town, how can two kids free a grown woman who has signed a confession?  Ollie’s longing for a friend and her daddy’s penchant for searching out lost souls prove to be a formidable force in this tiny town where everyone seems bent on judging and jailing without a trial.”

Ollie travels around the South with her Reverend Father, Mother, and four sisters.  Ollie is the oldest.  It is July, 1957.  The Love family travels around the South in their trailer from town to town.  The Reverend preaches for a few days, then the family moves on to the next town. Ollie would love nothing more then to have a house with a mailbox, telephone and refrigerator.  This is what Ollie thinks of the town.

Binder was a pitiful place, worn thin from years of want. It was exactly like all the other towns her daddy dragged them through.  It was exsactly the kind of nothing Ollie had com to expect.

Except, maybe, for that boy

Ollie takes her sister, Ellen with her to pass out fliers.  On their way around town, Ollie sees an orange something in the poplars. When she tries to sneak up on it, there’s nothing there.  The girls arrive at a store and right away come to know that strangers aren’t welcome.  On the way out of the shop, Ollie sees the orange again. It belongs to a boy.  Ollie invites him to hear her daddy that night, and to bring his family. He says he can’t bring them.  His pa is in the cemetery and his mama is in jail for his murder.

This book was darling.  I loved the relationship between the Love family.  They are a family that would do anything for each other.  Even Martha, who was a bit feisty.  I don’t want to give too much of this sweet story away, but the family decides to stay in town to try to help Jimmy find out who murdered his pa.  He was not a good man, and had many enemies.  Ollie was, of course, my favorite.  There was another character that touched my heart, Mrs. Mahoney.  She was such an amazing example of unconditional kindness and love.   Jimmy was a favorite too.  His story will touch your heart.

4 1/2 stars out of 5.  With a Name Like Love is finalist for 2010 Whitney Award in the YA general category.  This truly is a great story of friendship and love of a family.  Find out more about Tess Hilmo here.  Follow Tess on Facebook.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON

Tess Hilmo is given away a copy of With a Name Like Love.  Leave a thoughtful comment, telling me something you love most about your family.  Contest ends Friday night at midnight MST.  Winner announced Saturday. Good Luck!  US ONLY.