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Death is a way of life for the Snowberger family, since they run a funeral parlor out of their Mississippi home with the motto "We live to serve." Still, when 94-year-old Great-great-aunt Florentine Snowberger dies in the vegetable garden, no one can truly be prepared, even though she'd been bidding "good night and good-bye" to the family every night since she turned 90. Florentine's death is hard on 10-year-old Comfort, since the two were so close, even co-writing the
Fantastic (and Fun) Funeral Food for Family and Friends. It's no surprise, then, when the annoyingly overwrought emotional displays of her young cousin Peach Shuggars and the sudden iciness of her alleged best friend Declaration Johnson send Comfort over the edge. Thank goodness for her shaggy "feel-good" dog Dismay who can eradicate all bad feelings with a single slobbery lick.
When a dangerous flash flood comes to Snapfinger on the day of Florentine's funeral, Comfort learns again that life is full of surprises, good and bad, and that, ultimately, it's just good to be alive. This warm, witty novel, told in Comfort's voice (and a mix of letters, recipes, articles, and helpful hints), celebrates the joys of family, of prune bread, of freshly sharpened pencils, and of "each little bird that sings." The fairly constant philosophizing about life and death, the unusual character names (Tidings, Comfort, Joy), and the narrator's oft-precocious voice may fray a nerve or two, but readers will find more than enough humor and good old-fashioned storytelling here to make up for it. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson
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From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6 Ten-year-old Comfort Snowberger lives in a house with her extended family, including great aunts and uncles. As a resident of this special house a funeral home in a small town in Mississippi Comfort has learned to embrace life. This novel by Deborah Wiles (Gulliver Books, 2005) takes listeners to the funeral of Great Aunt Florentine, from the moment she is discovered in her garden, through the arrival of Comfort's friend Declaration and her cousin Peach. We become a guest as Mother arranges the flowers for the house and Father prepares Aunt Florentine's body for viewing. Comfort is comfortable with death and accepts it as a natural part of living. However, the young girl soon must face situations that test her previous assumptions as well as her friendships. Kim Mai Guest brings a true southern lilt to the voice of Comfort, while creating distinct voices for Great Aunt Florentine, Great Uncle Edisto, Declaration Johnson, and a myriad of other characters. This heartfelt, sometimes humorous story is a delight.
Joyce Rice, Crestwood Middle School, Royal Palm Beach, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.