Paula Fox Books

Newberry Medal-winning author Paula Fox pens “a very funny book, full of lightning transitions from the matter-of-fact to fantasy which make an imaginative child’s world continuously exciting” (The New York Times). If there is one thing Lewis has enough of, it’s good advice from his overprotective parents. But when they go away for a week, Lewis’s parents leave him in the care of Miss Fitchlow, a tall, freckle-faced, free-spirited woman who stands on her head and eats carrot pudding to see better in the dark. Miss Fitchlow lets Lewis explore the neighborhood park alone for the first time, where he meets Mr. Madruga, a retired Spanish shoemaker. The two become friends, and together, find ways to show everyone that they can think for themselves.

Jessie Bollier often played his fife to earn a few pennies down by the New Orleans docks. One afternoon a sailor asked him to pipe a tune, and that evening Jessie was kidnapped and dumped aboard "The Moonlight," a slave ship, where a hateful duty awaited him. He was to play music so the slaves could "dance" to keep their muscles strong, their bodies profitable. Jessie was sickened by the thought of taking part in the business of trading rum and tobacco for blacks and then selling the ones who survived the frightful sea voyage from Africa. But to the men of the ship a "slave dancer" was necessary to ensure their share of the profit. They did not heed the horrors that every day grew more vivid, more inescapable to Jessie. Yet, even after four months of fear, calculated torture, and hazardous sailing with a degraded crew, Jessie was to face a final horror that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

A Great American Novel -- from the author of 'Borrowed Finery'. Otto and Sophie Bentwood live childless in a renovated Brooklyn brownstone. The complete works of Goethe line their bookshelf, their stainless steel kitchen is newly installed, and their Mercedes is parked outside. After Sophie is bitten on the hand while trying to feed a half-starved neighbourhood cat, a series of small and ominous disasters begin to plague their lives, revealing the faultlines and fractures in a marriage -- and a society -- wrenching itself apart. Includes an introduction by Jonathan Franzen.

The protagonist battles personal catastrophe with fierce determination, ultimately finding a way to save herself and escape her dire situation. This story is described as both deeply moving and entirely credible, capturing the essence of resilience in the face of adversity.

Exploring the complexities of family and identity, this memoir recounts the life of Paula Fox, abandoned at birth and raised in a series of unstable environments. Her experiences oscillate between the care of a minister in upstate New York and tumultuous interactions with her charismatic yet flawed parents. From Manhattan to Cuba and California, Fox navigates a world of contrasting influences, ultimately crafting a poignant narrative about her unconventional upbringing and the search for belonging amid chaos.

In this collection, Paula explores the intricate dynamics of relationships and the profound impact of personal experiences. Through a series of compelling narratives, the author delves into themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. Each story reveals the characters' vulnerabilities and resilience, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections and the complexities of human emotion. The writing is both poignant and evocative, capturing the essence of shared moments and the significance of community.

Set in 1941, the narrative follows twenty-three-year-old Helen Bynum as she embarks on a journey from upstate New York to New Orleans in search of her enigmatic Aunt Lulu. This quest not only leads her to reconnect with her aunt but also introduces her to a vibrant new world filled with passion and adventure, transforming her understanding of life and herself.

The retelling of three Italian folktales: Amzat and His brothers, Mezgalten and Olimpia, Cucol and the Door.

Eleven-year-old Clay Garrity is on his own. His father lost his job and left the family. Now Clay's mother is gone from their welfare hotel. Clay is homeless and out on the streets of New York. In the park he meets two homeless men. Buddy and Calvin become Clay's new family during those harsh winter weeks. But the streets are filled with danger and despair. If Clay leaves the streets he may never find his parents again. But if he stays on the streets he may not survive at all.

The story unfolds during a bon voyage party for Laura and her husband, Desmond, where family tensions rise to the surface in a confined New York City hotel room. Amidst the celebration, Laura grapples with the secret of her mother’s recent death, intensifying the emotional conflict and resentment among family members. This setting serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of grief, familial obligation, and the complexities of relationships under pressure.