Review of In Front of God and Everybody

In Front of God and Everybody: Confessions of April Grace by KD McCrite is the warm southern story set in 1986 of a girl in some interesting circumstances. April Grace's life has always been a little different. She has a sister who is so concerned about being glamorous April Grace is sure the girl is from another family, her grandma's cat is absolutely evil, and her neighbors are elderly hippies who never bathe. Throw in an old man who suddenly starts flirting obnoxiously with her grandma and a pair of city slickers who make April Grace's life absolutely horrible. No one will believe April Grace when it comes to her opinions, but her parents insists that she show love to the people who bug her. 

But how can she just stand there when the man kisses her grandmother in front of God and everybody?

This story was really cute. I surprised myself when I realized I like southern-style novels about young girls (April Grace is eleven). April Grace's voice is clear and charming as she expresses her opinions and interacts with her unique family and guests. And are they unique guests! Remember that Benjamin Franklin quote, "Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days."? Well, try three weeks with the rudest woman in the whole world! I love the way April Grace learns to love in her own, funny way. This really was a sweet, down-to-earth book filled with southern humor.

All in all, I rate this book five out of five stars, and I recommend it to girls from age nine and up.

Specifics (from amazon.com):
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 10, 2011)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Blessings,