“Stella’s Very Special Summer,” by author Carol Lunney-Hampson, is a heartwarming story of family, adventure, and unexpected twists. Set in the summer of 1955 in the Catskill Mountains of New York, the story follows 11-year-old Stella and her family as they spend their summer in a cabin by the river. The family’s financial struggles threaten to take away their cherished cabin. However, due to an unexpected twist in events, the appearance of a mysterious Mafia gangster unknowingly helps them to save it.
Stella’s family is in danger of losing their cabin due to hospital debt incurred from tonsillectomies on the twins. The bank will not take their cabin away if they can keep up with the loan payments. Stella is devastated at the thought of losing her beloved cabin, which has become a special place for her and her family.
In this blog, we will explore this unexpected twist in Stella’s story and the role of the gangster in saving the cabin.
The presence of the Mafia gangster, One-Hand Sid throughout the story, adds a layer of intrigue and danger. Harry, Stella’s older brother, introduces Sid to the reader early in the storyline. He tells Stella how Sid cut off his hand to escape in a botched jewelry heist. Further descriptions of his mysterious escape are told by Harry’s best friend Chi Chi while they are on the Hayride. Later that night, Stella is convinced One-Hand Sid was watching her from the darkened tree line while she was picking night crawlers on the golf course.
Throughout the summer One-Hand Sid roams the mountains, avoiding the police and trying to stay alive. His Mafia friends keep track of his general location, and the reader is left to wonder where he will show up next. It is most serendipitous that One-Hand Sid becomes critical to saving the cabin.
The role of the gangster in helping Stella’s family may seem unexpected and even questionable, but it is a reminder that sometimes help can come from unexpected places. Sid’s involvement comes at a cost but ultimately saves Stella’s family from losing their cabin.
The presence of the gangster also adds a layer of danger and excitement to the story. It keeps the reader on their toes, wondering what will happen next. It is a reminder that life is unpredictable, and sometimes we have to be open to unexpected twists and turns.
“Stella’s Very Special Summer” is ultimately a story about family’s importance and love’s power. Stella’s love for her family and her cabin is what motivates her to help save it. It is a reminder that love and family can provide strength and resilience even in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, “Stella’s Very Special Summer” by author Carol Lunney-Hampson is a captivating and heartwarming story of a family’s summer adventure and the challenges they face along the way. The unexpected twist involving the gangster One-Hand Sid adds a layer of suspense and intrigue to the story. This book is a testament to the power of family, the beauty of nature, and the joy of simple pleasures. It’s a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages. The message is that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope and the possibility of a happy ending is one that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.