Book Review of Singing with the Top Down by Debrah Williamson

According to her author's note in the book Singing With The Top Down, Debrah Williamson had no choice but to write the story of Pauly Mahoney and her brother, Buddy. In fact, she states that Pauly came to her, in a way, and kept after her to write the story. Though Pauly is a fictional character, her story needed told. And what a great story it is!

Pauly Mahoney was the worrier of the family. Her mother suffered from an almost bi-polar condition, and rarely was able to take care of her children. Her father was footloose and fancy free, spending his money and time trying to keep his wife happy. He was often out of work, and the family had to flee countless rental homes as a result.

Add to the mix Pauly's younger brother. Buddy had suffered from Polio at the age of two, and had stayed sick a lot ever since. He required the use of leg braces, and he had a horrible stuttering problem. He was often made fun of at school, and he never had any friends. Since Pauly was always sticking up for him, she never had friends either.

In fact, Pauly seemed to be the grown-up of the family. She took on the role of caretaker for her younger brother. Her mother had cast her aside her whole life, so she was her own caretaker as well. When it came to the family's money, Pauly was in charge of finances. She was the one to make sure her father didn't spend all their money. She was the one who tried her hardest to make sure that the rent was paid.

Her life is in for a huge change, however. Her parents are killed in a sudden tragic accident. Pauly and Buddy find themselves orphaned, and the only person willing to take them in is an aunt they have never met. They are unsure what to think of her, but they know she must be better than going to live in an orphanage, so they leave their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma and set out with her on a trip to her home in Los Angeles, California.