Sagle author finally rewarded
Eight is enough.
That's how many years it took for Idaho author Dianna Dorisi Winget to convince a reputable publisher to share her debut novel, "A Smidgen of Sky," with a national audience.
The wait appears to have been worthwhile.
"A Smidgen of Sky" features a spunky young girl's attempt to come to terms with her mother's upcoming marriage. In the novel, Piper Lee DeLuna has emotions running sky-high with her mother's impending second marriage. The stress of blending into a new family is more than enough to upset any young girl. Piper Lee has been dealt an even harder hand. She's hesitant around her stepdad-to-be and can't stand his daughter, practically Piper's opposite. The 10-year-old is still fiercely loyal to her pilot father, who has been missing four years after disappearing in his plane during a storm. As do many kids in similar situations, her mother's marriage is seen as an act of disloyalty to her father, whom she feels is still alive somewhere.
Maybe it's the heat of midsummer Georgia, but Piper Lee decides to act on her feelings and stop the wedding. As can be expected, troubles ensue. Piper Lee is forced to come to terms with her tumultuous emotions as well as her impulsive actions.
Characters lead this story. The plot is steady, but relatively low-key - which is refreshing. The protagonist has enough emotional drama to entertain nearly anyone. The characters are well-developed. Winget wields them and their emotions effectively, enticing the reader's eyes continuously to read just one more page. The book, published by Harcourt Children's Books, will be available Nov. 6.
Winget has been writing since she was 9, when she rewrote episodes of favorite television shows, placing herself among the characters. She hopes to write more fiction as well as nonfiction for younger readers. The author has always lived in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Sagle with her husband, daughter and two "canine buddies."
Winget offers the first chapter of "A Smidgen of Sky" and some of her short stories on her website, www.diannawinget.com.
Elena Johnson is a junior at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy.