Something to Sing About

by C.C. Payne

Jamie Jo's fear of bees has been not much more than an annoyance for the Morgan family -- that is until the summer their church explodes. While trying to make sense of this event, Jamie Jo deals with overcoming other she fears reaching out to a new girl in the neighborhood, she worries about taking on the responsibility of a puppy, and she doesn't know why her older brother's return to town has caused tension in the family. She has to deal with all of this without going outside (where the bees live) alone!

Readers will be captivated by Jamie Jo's humor, wit, and small-town charm as she begins to see her world and her faith in a new way.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult

167 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2008

About the author

C. C. Payne was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, by a family chock-full of superb storytellers: readers, writers, teachers, librarians and lawyers – yes, Payne insists that any lawyer worth his salt knows how to tell a good, persuasive story! Growing up,she says, all kinds of stories were used, to quiet, to entertain, and to teach life lessons, but all stories worked to instill a love of the story – any story.

"Naturally, at the age of seven," Payne says, "I became a voracious reader. After that,the house could’ve fallen down around my ears, and I would’ve just thought, 'Does this mean I have to put my book down?'"

Payne's first novel, Something to Sing About, received a boxed, starred review from Booklist, was named one of the Top Ten Best by Booklist, was nominated for a Children’s Crown Award, and a Kentucky Bluegrass Award.

Her second novel, Lula Bell on Geekdom, Freakdom & the Challenges of Bad Hair, was released by Amazon Children's Publishing on October 2, 2012. Payne says she would describe Lula Bell… as a story about life and death, family and friendship, faith and forgiveness, fitting in and standing out, and above all, letting your light shine – letting it light up the dark!

Meanwhile, as she continues to write, Payne says that she's beginning to notice that all her books are like her: hopeful, humorous, and distinctly southern. To learn more, visit www.ccpayne.net .

Reviews

[Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute story about a little girl finding her place in the world, if you will. Great humor and sweet, memorable moments! She’s terribly afraid of bees, feels alone and there’s tension in her family… but God does some pretty big things in her life and the life of her family & community. This made a terrific read aloud for us. I read it aloud to my 11, 6 and 4 year old children and they all really enjoyed it - although my 11 year old probably understood it best.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. There wasn't a lot of action, but I thought the basic plot was intriguing and demonstrated a lot of grace. The main chacter's debilitating fear of bees could have been solved with one trip to the allergist, but it worked for the story and kids will like the subplot in which the main chacter gets a dog who just happens to like to eat bees. The most intriguing part of all is the true story on which this one is based - the story of a small church that explodes with no one in it, because everyone in a choir of 18 members is late for choir practice. A delicate, Christian fiction, without the typical didactic arc to it.

[NancyL Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know - this is a "Young Adults" Book. But it is on the United Methodist Women's Reading Program list and looked like an easy read. It was a wonderful read! Jamie Jo at 10years old is afraid to go outside because she is deathly afraid of bees. She also has problems with other decisions and is totally dependent on her Mother who carries a flyswatter wherever she and Jamie Jo go together. The gist of the book is that things happen for a reason, whether you see it at the time or later. Read it!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, simple, gentle book. The most important event of the book is based on a extraordinary true event. I think the main idea of the book is that we can change - anyone can change. It is a faith-based book, but I wouldn't say it needed to fit in a "Christian books" section. It should have appeal to churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast, simple book, but I really liked it. I liked how the author worked in other things aside from the characters to help tell the story. The way they described things in the book was also very beautiful. As the main character starts overcoming her fear of bees lots of other things start getting better for her too.

[Claire Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this book before and had meant to come back to it, but I didn't get around to it until recently. To be honest, it was a little to juvenile for me. But even when I am old and married with grandkids I will still probably give this book 5 stars. It's just so funny/good/heart-warming and touching.

[Joyce Hahnenkratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a crack up...I love Jamie Jo and her family. I caught myself smiling and then laughing through-out this book.

[Elfiegirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Jo is terrified of bees. What will she do to cross the street to meet a new friend, there are bees out there!

[Jennifer Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaime Jo grows out of her many fears--fear of bees and bee stings, fear of going outside by herself, and her new neighbor across the street becomes her best friend.

[Farah]

Really wants to start reading this book! My teacher's cousin wrote this book. It even has my teacher her oldest daughter in it.

[Becky Barrier Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this book prior to the author visiting our Mother Daughter Book Club.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something To Sing About is a beautiful book about a girl named Jamie Jo Morgan and her connections to others and her world. The summer that a freak accident at her church occurs is also the summer when her brother returns home, a new girl that Jamie Jo really wants to be friends with moves in, and she tries to convince her parents to let her get a puppy even though she doesn't want to go outside alone.

C.C. Payne's debut middle grade book is a short, sweet, gentle, and funny small town story with a bit of faith interwoven. It can teach and inspire young readers to face their fears and be themselves. It was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone 8+. There was one small joke about a dog's name that only older kids might get, but it's not a big deal. This book also has great potential for a read-aloud.

*****Given the audience, this was definitely 5 stars. I certainly enjoyed it as well.*****

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a good story for anyone really but it is middle school age to young adult that would get the most from it. A young girl scared to death by bees gets a new friend, learns to deal with nasty girls, her mother's getting dismissed from the choir, family issues, and a catastrophe at their church. Funny at times but very serious at others.

[Kimberly DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story told through the eyes of 10 year old, Jamie Jo - about overcoming her fear of bees, making her first friend, and trusting her faith in God. Jamie Jo is a delightful little girl with whom readers will fall in love. Super quick read!

[Tj Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Jo has a lot to learn about bravery and church...and bees. I really enjoyed this book. It's a very quick read, but it's message is very powerful.

[Deborah Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins a bit slow but as you continue to read it picks up. Some real truths about human relationships are well said and dealt with as a good Christian example.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

See? I could finish thin books :p

Jamie Jo tinggal bersama kedua orang tua dan seorang kakak laki-laki di sebuah kota kecil dimana semua hal bisa dicapai dengan berjalan kaki. Apalagi kalau ayahnya punya prinsip: kalau mobil sudah diparkir, maka mobil itu akan tetap di parkiran hingga senin pagi ketika ayahnya berangkat ke kantor. Maka, Jamie Jo dan ibunya harus bergegas ke gereja kalau mereka tidak mau telat. Dan sesungguhnya mereka tidak pernah terlambat, karena mereka selalu datang paling awal, dimana lampu gereja masih mati dan pintu gereja belum terbuka. Lalu kenapa ibunya selalu ingin cepat sampai gereja? Karena ibunya sangat suka bernyanyi di paduan suara. Masalahnya adalah, ibunya tidak pandai bernyanyi, bahkan suaranya paling keras dan paling out of tune di antara anggota paduan suara lainnya.

Selain kehidupan keluarga Kristiani yang sangat kental tergambarkan dalam novel ini, sang penulis juga menceritakan kehidupan Jamie Jo kecil, usia 10 tahun, dengan sangat asik. Bagaimana dia menemukan seorang teman (dengan susah payah pula, dan itu dalam arti sebenarnya), kenapa kemana-mana dia harus selalu bersama ibunya, dan kenapa ibunya HARUS selalu membawa pemukul lalat ketika pergi bersamanya.

Simple, tapi sarat makna :)

[Katie Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is told from the perspective of a ten year old girl who grows up with a mother who never misses church. This book is an easy read, but I really wasn't crazy about it; however, I would use it in my classroom to talk about the facts presented in the book such as the church explosion.

[Mary Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the story because they have good friendship. Jamie Jo's scared of bees because she thought if she got Stone she might die. The story tells good Christian life to.
The story has all kinds of stuff it has Christianity
Friendship familyand more.it's good because you should read

[Jacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story has a slow beginning. Character development is mediocre. Weak characters and plot.

[Angchronicles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book for a youngsters. Illustrates true meaning of love and relationships and overcoming fears.

[erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

insightful look at a family's christian life and dealing with things that frighten them