Belle of the Ball

Belle Ball is a pretty bad name.  I mean, I thought my name was bad.  But Belle Prater had Belle Ball as her name until she married her husband.  Yeah. Belle Ball.
That is neither here nor there!
I have often seen and heard tell of Belle Prater's Boy.
But I had not read it until now.
This is just SUCH a great book.
And it won a Newbery Honor!
This is the story of Gypsy and Woodrow, cousins.  Woodrow is Belle Prater's boy, Belle went missing, just up and left.  And Gypsy's dad died and I won't give away any more about that.  And they are both dealing with the loss of a parent.  And life and rumors in a small town.  And family secrets and just being middle school aged.  They live in the fictional town of Coal Station, VA and White's writing just brings the place to life.  There is also a sequel, The Search for Belle Prater, which I hope to read as well.