(3) 4-6 It's 1960, and twelve-year-old Peggy Sue's family has moved from Texas to the recently declared state of Hawaii. As the new girl, Peggy Sue is crudely pigeonholed as a haole--a non-native white person--by a bully. Bustard's historical setting adds a unique backdrop to this story of a terribly homesick girl who learns a lesson about family.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. The main text of this picture book is written in a folksy style ("A good-hearted family howdied their newest young'un into this ol' world"). While this style doesn't accurately reflect the nature of Holly's music, the book is successful in focusing on Holly's West Texas roots and his early musical influences. Energetic art accompanies the text. Author's note, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl