Raggedy Ann Heart

by Heather McPhaul

Overview

In 1970s rural West Texas, 12-year-old Lindy Logan has big dreams. She wants to become the next Karen Carpenter. She strives to acclimate to a new 7th grade class. And she fantasizes about killing her little sister, Jo. But all of these desires lead to her biggest dream of all – acquiring her momma’s unconditional love. Because Momma was once second runner-up in the Miss Texas pageant and twice named Most Beautiful of Turnip High School, Lindy is certain the path to becoming Momma’s favorite child is for Lindy to become famous herself. The only obstacle is 8-year-old Jo, a dead-ringer for the gorgeous Liz Taylor, seeking her own conduit to fame. If Jo gains fame first, Momma will focus all her love on her youngest, and Lindy’s greatest fear will be realized – that she is a nobody. In Raggedy Ann Heart, the Logan sisters deal with budding hormones, imaginary friends, and even Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, all the while competing with each other for the ultimate prize – Momma’s love.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940012340191
Publisher:	Heather McPhaul
Publication date:	03/22/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	240 KB

About the Author

I was spit out amongst the West Texas sandstorms in 1962. I remember sitting on my daddy’s lap every night as he watched the news and cracking his large knuckles one by one as images of the Vietnam War raged on… and on. This made me question the longevity of our world, so I was very glad to ease my tension with my humorous friends on "Bewitched," "The Brady Bunch," and "Laverne & Shirley." Movie musicals also helped me to survive the craziness that raged within me. "The Sound of Music" and "Grease" were temporary distractions from the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that, at times, threatened to drown me in a vortex of emotion. When I wasn’t going to school or watching syndicated sitcoms, I was forced to help on our ranch and farm.

In the summer, my sister and I hoed cotton (“You were a Hoer,” a date once said to me) and in the fall, we tromped that same cotton. I hated such work then; I am glad for it today. In fact, there is much I miss about my West Texas roots — the people (their quirks and hilarity), the simple pleasures (the spectacle of a Texas thunderstorm or “thunder boomer” as my Mom would say), and, of course, the food (“real” Chicken Fried Steak, anyone? Melt-in-your-mouth-delicious). For these reasons, and more, I wrote "Raggedy Ann Heart." If you are (or ever were) a Texan or, hell, if you ever went through puberty, I hope you will give "Raggedy Ann Heart" a read.

Editorial Reviews

Having grown up in West Texas, novelist McPhaul helped me relive many experiences that a girl with a sister (in my case two sisters) endures. The story begins as a girl named Lindy is introduced to her baby sister Jo. As in most cases, sibling rivalry begins. Her only solace is the Raggedy Ann doll that her mother sewed for her. The theme of the story is enduring love for family. Lindy's life is a constant search for the elusive feeling of belonging. Raggedy Ann Heart is a timely novel.

Indie Books - C. Haggard

Author Heather McPhaul has crafted a charming coming of age tale in her debut novel about a family struggling to get by in rural West Texas in the 70s. Twelve-year-old Lindy Logan’s life is one long uphill struggle-she is a figure of ridicule at school and greatly overshadowed at home by her pretty kid sister, Jo. Lindy’s charismatic Momma has watched her own dreams of stardom turn to dust and struggles to adjust to a life of menial work and frugality. Then tragedy strikes...

Bookblah - Lavanya Karthik

This debut novel revolves around 12-year-old, soon to be 13, Lindy Logan who desperately seeks her mother's approval and love but never can quite figure out how to get it. A big part of the problem has to do with her 8-year-old sister, Jo, who is obviously Momma's favorite, even if Jo is so weird that she talks to her Fruit Loop People. McPhaul has penned a novel with characters who come to life on the page. I wouldn't be surprised some day to see Raggedy Ann Heart as a movie. It's that good.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal - Glenn Dromgoole

Raggedy Ann Heart qualified as a finalist in Young Adult Fiction for the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and Indie Excellence Awards.

Indie Excellence Awards - Next Generation Indie Excellence