Twelve-year-old Deza Malone is relatively happy, despite her patched clothes and painfully rotting teeth. The entire country is desperately struggling through the heart of the Depression in 1936, but Deza has her best friend, treasured library books, beloved school and devoted teacher --- plus her amazing family, including her mom, dad and older brother, Jimmie. She’s very intelligent and aims to be a teacher and a writer. There is never any extra money for entertainment; her dad lost his job and, despite searching everyday, hasn’t found any work. But Jimmie has a wonderful singing voice and loves to perform, and her father tells the greatest stories. They get along the best they can and hope for a better future.

Unfortunately, the future doesn’t look good, at least not in their hometown of Gary, Indiana. Deza’s dad is desperate for work, so he decides to travel back to where he grew up in Flint, Michigan, thinking he might have better luck finding a job. He promises to write and send money, and will move the entire family up north when he gets settled. Unfortunately, they don’t hear from him for months. Deza’s mom proceeds to lose her job as well, and the landlord evicts them from their home. With no other options, the three set off to search for Dad.

They wrap their few belongings in blankets and sneak aboard a train headed for Michigan. They know the address of a relative in Flint, but when they get there, the house is gone. Desperate, they settle into a shack in the hobo camp just outside of town. Deza’s mom manages to find some work, but Jimmie takes off on his own to find a singing job in the city, and there is no word at all from her dad. The few things Deza counted on for peace and happiness are slipping out of her arms. The struggle for survival becomes desperate indeed, though Deza never lets go of hope.

Readers became briefly acquainted with Deza in Christopher Paul Curtis’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, BUD, NOT BUDDY, and THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE promises to win Curtis even more honors. In his letter to readers at the beginning of the book, the author admits his unease at writing a story from the point of view of a young girl. Well, he can rest his fears because he has written an inspiring story featuring an amazing protagonist. Deza sets expectations for herself very high, yet is able to accept her brother’s shortcomings with no problem. She values family, friendship and learning above all else. Deza’s father is an interesting character, with a unique ability to explain ideas in creative and understanding ways. He also has an endearing alliteration addiction.

It’s hard to predict which direction the story will take, and it offers many surprise directional shifts that keep it fresh. In addition, there are words of wisdom woven throughout that will give readers something to think about; for example, no matter how bad off a person is, someone else has it worse. This gifted writer offers an honest and painful look at a terrible time in our country through the eyes of a special young girl who refuses to give up hope.