Overview

In 1963, a young teenage girl moves with her mother and sisters from the suburbs to the downtown of a Midwestern city after her parents get a divorce. Emmie, a naïve, curious and intelligent girl, wants the security of her suburban life but has always dreamed of adventure in faraway places. She must take risks, meet new people and become independent. The change is difficult for all because of her mother's alcoholism and lack of a steady income. When Emmie's mother takes a job, she cares for her sisters at night. In her new neighborhood, Emmie meets people from different cultures who are both good and evil. She defends her sisters and herself each day by confronting the evil, thus awakening her courage and inner strength. But she never gives up.

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9780578439358

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Reviews

Emmie of Indianapolis Is a charming coming of age story that follows the life of a young 13 year old girl that moves from the suburbs to the Midwestern town of Indianapolis. Set in the 1960's, readers are taken back to a time and place when things were simpler. Artisan Book Reviews Emmie of Indianapolis reads as if Emmie is speaking directly to us, simply, succinctly, sometimes without understanding, and other times with deep understanding; but more often than not a sense of wonder. This charm, in spite of some troublesome episodes in Emmie's year, makes the story a pleasure to read. Amazon Customer Sweet story of a young lady's experience growing up--the joys, fears, sorrows and triumphs that shape our lives as adults. Emmie, the main character, is brave, caring and hard working young lady destined to rise about her circumstances due to her simple faith and hope in her heart. Flora Wilsker, Amazon Customer Castaneda tells a story of the essentials of friendship; against the inequities that adults, through their needs and intolerances, visit upon the lives of children. And in spite of those inequities, and in spite of the failings all too present in Emmie's world, the story is a warm one. Jamie Campbell, Goodreads This is an episodic novel at times sugary and other times full of fright and bad things. Told by 12-year-old Emmie O'Brien, who may be the sweetest child in the universe, this is a tale of a family in trouble. Everything is bleak except Emmie. cinejue, Goodreads

Author Information

Kay Castaneda is retired from a career as a college writing instructor and special education tutor. She earned a B.A. and M.A. in English at Indiana University. Her publications include poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction in literary journals plus articles about education for reference books. Kay attended writing seminars in Lithuania, Scotland, and Mexico. Her hobbies include reading, especially Russian novels and biographies, watching crime shows on TV and genealogy. She published a novel based on her experiences growing up in the Midwest, Emmie of Indianapolis: The Story of an American Girl. She is currently researching the history of Ireland for a novel based on her ancestors. Her work in progress is a mystery. She loves to eat at Mom and Pop diners and browse in antique stores and flea markets. Kay lives in Mexico with her husband Tony and dogs Buddy, Whitey and Negra. Kay has contributed two stories to Death Among Us: An Anthology of Murder Mystery Short Stories. Her poems are also included in Dead Girl Erased: An Anthology of Erasure Poetry.

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