Girl Could Stand Up

Whensix-year-oldElraystandsuptotouchthemoon,shenarrowlyescapesafreakishelectriccurrentthatclaimsthelivesofbothherparentswhileridingthroughtheamusementparkTunnelofLove.Suddenlyorphaned,sheisleftstunnedandmute,untiltwolovingbutnot-so-domesticatedunclesstepintotakecharge.Oneishercross-dressinguncleAjax,whoinsistsonbeingaddressedas'aunt';theotherisUncleHarwood,amachophotographer,fullofswaggerandfondofadrink.WhenthedeceptivelysweetIrishlawyerRenamovesintomountalucrativelawsuitagainstthefairground,theeccentrichouseholdbecomestheverymodeloffamilylifere-invented.Outwardlyfullofadventureandthrill-seekingenergy,Elraystoreshergriefdeepinside.WithyoungRaoulshemeetshermatch.Inpursuitofinvincibility,theyperformrecklessactsofbraveryanddangerousritualsthatleadthemintoundergroundcryptsandacrossimmenserivers.Together,theybegintounearththeessentialtruthsaboutcourage,strength,andthetransformingpowerofloveandfamily.Burstingwithexuberanceandvibrancy,LeslieMarshallluresusintoachild'sworldofimaginationandlawlessness,aplaceinwhichallsenseofnormalityislost,untilitistimetofallinlove.IntheuniquecharacterofElrayMayhewshehassurelycreatedoneofliterature'smostunforgettableheroines.