This is an exceptionally well-written novel- a coming of age story that takes the reader on a journey of friendship, misadventure, and the realization of self. Written with humor, All The Good Little Girls will have the reader laugh and cry out loud. This is a positive message book that asks the question: “how can you keep quiet when you’re screaming inside?” ( )

Olive Abernathy is a spitfire of girl who just turned 13 in the summer of 1979. She’s feisty, cantankerous, and not afraid to speak what’s on her mind. The one thing she longs for most is to get away from her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana where to be an Abernathy means to be shunned, spit upon, and avoided at all costs.

When Olive’s mother punches out the mother of Olive’s best and only friend, Henry, Olive feels she’ll never survive the embarrassment of her “redneck” mother’s actions. When the call comes late that same night that Olive's beloved grandfather has died, she decides it's time to leave Louisiana and the Abernathy name behind for good. Olive stops by Henry's to say goodbye and, like any best friend would, he immediately packs up his suitcase and joins her... wherever they may be going. However, Olive and Henry may have gotten more than they bargained for as they traverse the country in a "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles"-like adventure.

Note that as a child of the '70's, I did notice some anachronisms, however, I can say that Kibbee's knowledge of the cultural references of the era was fairly astounding. Also, I did bristle a bit at the classic Northerner's prejudicial views of Southerners, yet it wasn't bad enough to make me put the book down.

Joyfully drenched in colorful language (Olive's Mama has a saying for everything!), Kibbee richly portrays both place and time. Pull out your ViewFinders, GenX-er's - it's time for solid wallop of nostalgia. ( )