Lucy Sings on Lucy Street

Gr 1-3–Travel back to Akron, OH, in 1932 to meet Lucimarian Tolliver. On a sunny day, as Lucy enjoys time with her friends, her family confronts the tough realities of the Great Depression. As the family’s furniture is repossessed, Lucy turns to Grandpa George for comfort, who encourages her to find joy in the magic of song. The authors share a poignant family story that offers young readers a view of a challenging era in American history, but younger or fidgety readers may struggle with its length and sentimentalism. Southerland delivers vibrant but repetitive digital illustrations that attempt to capture the brightness of Lucy’s song—“This Little Light of Mine”—with a familiar touch. Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America” pens a sweet epilogue about Lucy’s eventual path to college and singing.