I am so sad to be finished with Pearl's story.

While all the Pearl Spence books deal with heavy, hard, and terrible experiences, there's still a theme of hope and growth. I'm surprised that I enjoyed a series set from a young girl's standpoint as much as I did, but the more I think back on these books, the more perfect I think the setting is - a naive and innocent little girl who faces so much struggle in her life, who ponders deeply, and comes out the other side stronger.

These books aren't quite like any others and it's hard for me to put into words why I love them all (and why I can't pick a favorite!).

I can't wait for Susie Finkbeiner's next book! I'm sure I will be just as captivated as I was by "A Song of Home"

This was my first experience reading anything by Susie Finkbeiner and I am now a fan! This story had so much heart! It was a story of forgiveness and redemption. I wish I had taken the time to read the first two books in the series before starting this book but I was still able to enjoy the story line. I plan to read the first two books very soon in order to fill in the gaps from this story. It captured my attention from the first page all the way through the end. If you enjoy historical fiction you will love this book. I love the relationship Pearl has with her family and friends. This little girl knows how to love but she also knows the pain of rejection. I cried as I read the final pages and saw the restoration and forgiveness that came for this precious little girl.

A Song of Home by Susie Finkbeiner…
The third book in the Pearl Spence series.
I came to know Pearl Spence first in A Cup of Dust. Tensions mount, Secrets are revealed, and danger arises for Pearl. 
In A Trail of Crumbs, I really fell in love with the spunky and brave little girl Pearl was really developing into. Pearl and her mama and daddy move to Bliss Michigan along with Pearl’s best friend Ray whom her parents take in and take care of. The move is both difficult and exciting for Pearl, a new start for their family. But, it is mostly just difficult and depressing for mama. Upon their arrival in Bliss, Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus play a pivotal and supportive role in Pearl and Ray’s lives. (Everyone should have an Aunt Carrie!) Mama continues to struggle with both the move and the death of Beanie, their other daughter. Throughout this book, mama makes poor choices and doesn’t behave mush like a mama should, I found myself wanting to “talk some sense” into her! Pearl discovers the library and often escapes there, and into the pages of a book; usually an adventure book. (I love the role the library, the elderly librarian, and books played in this book!) With a bit of a shocking event for the era, Mama leaves her home, her husband, her family, and the town of Bliss as Pearl struggles to understand why mama left her.
The story of Pearl culminates in A Song of Home, Just when it seems that Pearl, daddy, and Ray with the help of Opal and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Gus, are doing well, Mama returns home to a bit of an underwhelming greeting. Neither Pearl, nor daddy like the way mama changes back household routines or the fact that she sends Opal packing. Prejudice abounds, everyone’s patience is tested, and another shocking revelation is revealed! Pearl and mama’s relationship is complicated. And mama once again has to go away but through patience, faith and forgiveness throughout the most trying of times, Pearl will have a happy ending.
A story of loss, betrayal, hope, and forgiveness; Susie elicits deep emotions within the reader as they cheer on, grieve with, yell at, cry over, and fall in love with the characters! Susie is a true story teller!

I will admit that I didn’t read the first two books before I became a part of the launch team for this book. However, it quickly found out that it is so well written and I became engrossed in the life of Pearl. I was especially excited with the swing dance scenes as I was a swing dancer before I got married. I loved this book so much that I am going to look into getting the first two books! I’m so sad my library doesn’t have them.

Susie Finkbeiner has written a book that teases out the meaning of home. Pearl Spence is in a new place and trying to feel a sense of home.  The story takes place in 1935. Pearl’s family has moved from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to a small town in Michigan. 

Pearl is a thoughtful girl, eleven years old. Through her eyes we see the complex troubles in her home and town. Her relationship with her mother has painful wounds. Will Bliss, Michigan ever feel like home? She attends school and church, but has deep distress over her mother's choices. She is a reader and finds comfort in the local library. Stories linger in her mind; her musings about life are touching.

Opal Moon brings some order to the Spence household. She offers friendship to Pearl and gives her an outlet for her energy. With music streaming from the radio, Opal teaches Pearl the new dance steps. (I learned about the Swing Era.)

Other women provide guidance for Pearl. Aunt Carrie is a rock of stability. Mrs. Trask, the librarian, has a gentle kindness. Meemaw isn’t physically present, but her words of wisdom come back to Pearl. Pearl makes a connection between lessons from the Bible and events taking place in her life.

A Song of Home is a well-crafted story of love, forgiveness and hope.

How I have been longing for the final installment about Pearl Spence and her family. This final story did not disappoint. It was poignant, heartbreaking and richly told through the eyes of an eleven year old girl. The complex problems that were part of her home and family life were handled beautifully with the grit that Ms Finkbeiner does not shy away from. I would have read it in one sitting if I only could have avoided all interruptions. Pearl’s mother suffers from a loss that she cannot come to grips with and is losing her very soul in her unhappiness; Pearl’s long suffering father who stands by his wife through circumstances that seem impossible; the steadfastness of her dearest friend, Ray; and, endearing Aunt Carrie, who I absolutely adored!...Susie Finkbeiner is a story teller that is brave and has a unique voice that brings so much to the literary world. I am already longing for what she will give her readers next, now that Pearl’s story has wrapped up (although if the author decides to give us more about these characters it would certainly thrill me).