Everything about this trip to Grandmas house was different First because of the fire Mrs Treski Evan and Jessie had driven up to Grandmas two days after Christmas instead of the day before missing Christmas with Grandma entirely Second the fire had left a hole in the back kitchen wall big enough to drive a car through And with Grandma in the hospital and not in her house everything felt off Third someone had climbed the long slow slope of Lovell Hill to the top and had stolen the old iron bell hanging on its heavy wooden crossbeam Who on earth would steal the New Years Bell And how could Grandma MrsTreski Evan Jessie and their neighbors ring in the New Year without it Like a modern-day Beverly Cleary Ms Davies writes with heart humor and honesty about the inevitability of profound change and reveals just how well she understands the complex emotions of the children.
