title: The Sound of Summer Voices
author: Tucker, Helen
description: "It was at the beginning of the summer of his twelfth year that Patrick Quincannon Tolson reluctantly came to the conclusion that one of his aunts--either Athena or Beryl--was not his aunt at all but his mother."
  
  Thus begins this bright, warm, enchanting story of Patrick's search for the truth about himself--and about the scandalous secret his family has so devotedly hidden from him.  He sets out on this remarkable voyage of discovery with a talent that is natural to him--eavesdropping.  He listens to the most private conversations; he even hides in trees and crouches in the backs of cars.  Step by step Patrick finally learns the truth and uses it with wisdom and foresight.  Reminiscent of 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' this is "a novel of rare excellence; a reading experience not soon to be forgotten."