The Starlite Drive-in    by Marjorie Reynolds Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2011 (1997) Hardcover, Softcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Thirty-six years have passed since Callie Anne Benton lived at the Starlite Drive-in where her father ran the projector and was responsible for general management. Now bones have been found in a makeshift grave at the outdoor theater lot in rural Indiana. The author takes us back in time to the meat of the story, leaving the mystery of the bones – who is it and why are they there? Callie Anne is twelve years old. Living is not easy for Callie Anne's family. Her mother cannot physically leave the house. Her father has become bitter because of this, turning into a curmudgeon. A stranger, Charlie Mathias, appears looking for work. You can see what's coming. You know what's coming. And you're right. But it is still a good read because The Starlight Drive-in is well written. The storyline captures you and then the writing makes the book a part of your life for the time it takes to read it. Callie Ann has a twelve year-old's crush on Charlie and fantasizes about the two of them. What twelve year-old hasn't done that? Reality has little to do with her imaginings. She, in other respects, seems more mature than her contemporaries, more the child looking after the mother. The Starlite Drive-in is a good read. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews