Yes, this is about a girl named Tallahassee. (I knew very well what "Tallahassee" was, considering I'd recently moved to Florida when I read this and that was the capital of my new state.) Poor Tallahassee kind of has an abusive mom, but not in the more obvious way. Her mom has been stringing her along and refusing to maturely provide a stable existence for her daughter, routinely uprooting her and making her follow her across the country as she chases fame and success. And all along, Talley has felt like she and her mother are more like friends or sisters than they are mother and daughter.Eventually Tallahassee's mother decides to plop her down with her uncle Dan and her strict Aunt Thelma so it will be easier for her to pursue her fanciful dreams out west. Tallahassee believes just about as much as her mother does that one day everything will turn out great for them and then her mom will send for her, so she has no qualms about telling everyone she meets about her mom the future movie star and how she isn't going to be living with Aunt Thelma's insufferable rules and condescending comments about her immature mom very long.But slowly, she starts to listen to the messages her more mature aunt gives her about her mother, and she realizes that her mother isn't a perfect person who can do no wrong. I remember poor desperate Talley spending her silver dollars trying to get as far west as possible, no plan in hand much like her mother, and all the pain she had to deal with in accepting that sometimes you love and trust people who just aren't good for you, even if they're related by blood. I also really liked that Aunt Thelma, despite being much better for Tallahassee's stability and emotional growth than her mother was, did have some flaws and was sometimes harsh (can you say judging the apple for the sins of the tree?)--it was enough to really make me feel for Talley. I love when books don't have just a Wise Old Adult who's perfect and all their wisdom is shown as Ultimate Truth by the end.
Where has this little gem of a book been hiding? I have known Mary Downing Hahn more for her eminently readable ghost stories (Think Wait Till Helen Comes, The Doll in the Garden, The Old Willis Place) than for other genres. There was nary a ghost to be found in this story of a young girl who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Maryland while her irresponsible mother goes off to chase her dream of being an actress in Hollywood. The reason I like this book so much is that it tells Tallahassee’s story so well (Hahn really knows how to get into a young girl’s head) while exploring issues like creepy parenting, abandonment, tricky family relationships—without becoming preachy and heavy-handed. I just have to say that I am still mopping my eyes at the ending. It was recommended to me by a student who hates to read because it’s so hard for her. She was determined to finish THIS book, however, because she absolutely loved the story. I would have read ANY book Jessica begged me to read—-but this one really hit a chord. I LOVED IT!!!! I need to write Hahn a fan letter. She has made my life as a reading teacher so much easier, because kids recommend her books to each other all the time.
What do You think about Tallahassee Higgins (2007)?
I inherited this book from my older sister when I was in elementary school. I don't remember if I read it right away or if it sat on my shelves for a while. Then one day, while perusing my school library, I picked up 'Wait Till Helen Comes'. I LOVED that book so much. To my surprise Mary Downing Hahn came to my school to read to us and sign books! That's when I remembered I actually owned one of her books already! I ended up really enjoying this book and having a signed copy/meeting the author only makes it that much better.
—Jordan Wilson
A great book from my early teen years. This book follows twelve year old Tallahassee Higgins. Her mother has left Tally with her brother (Talley's Uncle Dan) and his wife while she goes to California to make it big in movies. The mother is a total flake. Talley has trouble fitting in at her new school and does not get along with her Aunt Thelma. She worries about when she's going to move to California with her mom, who is calling and writing less frequently. It's a good book. Mary Downing Hahn was one of my favorite authors growing up. This book is a little frustrating in that EVERY adult seems to take Talley's mother's mistakes out on poor 12 year old Talley. I'm sure that there are some adults who would do that, but surely not this many!
—Nikki Boisture
I liked this book and gave it a five stars because i love mary downing hahns books and it is about a girl who doesnt know who her dad is and her mom cant keep a job so she goes and lives with relatives and her mom basicaly drops her off and doesnt call or send post cards. tallahassee is having a hard time because she hass lived her life with no rules and doing what ever she wants when she wants and know she has rules from her aunt and uncle. She also feels that her aunt hates her. Her mom lived with uncle dan and aunt thelma because dan is 20 or so years older than the mom and there mom died. Liz the mom thought that thelma hated her to. they come to accept. alot happens in this book. i would suggest reading to any one because alot of girls can probaly relate to having their mom leave them and take off like there is no tomorrow.
—Murphy L
