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For Dad, in loving memory; and for Aunt P, whose cobbler was beyond compare. —G.D. To the memory of my grandmother Vivian, who taught me everything I know about cooking. And to my family and friends, who reap the benefits of those lessons. —K.H.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from thereposting. Library of Congress. Please do not quote without ISBN 978-1-4197-5737-2 comparison to the finished book. The illustrations for this book were made with digital acrylic and pencil.
Text © 2024 Gabriele Davis Illustrations © 2024 Kim Holt Book design by Heather Kelly Published in 2024 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Abrams Books for Young Readers are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below. Abrams® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book. Written by
Illustrated by
GABRIELE DAVIS
KIM HOLT
Abrams Books for Young Readers New York
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Summer Sundays begin with picking. With me and Grandma, straw hats tilted to tease the sun, walking side by side into our orchard. Rosy-ripe peaches dipping low to the ground, sun-warmed and soft like Grandma’s lap.
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We pick and pick and pick some more, snatching and snapping ’til our buckets are full.
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And sometimes we bite.
Peach juice drip,
drip, dripping, down our chins, over our hands, trickling down our arms. Soft pulp sliding down our throats like honey. Grandma’s sweet-tart laugh hugging the air.
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“Tastes like summer,” she says.
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Soon, Grandma fills up the house with sweetness. Daddy breathes deep and smiles. Smiles and then sighs, for the memory of Mama.
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His peachy peach girl.
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Arms hugging Daddy on new-home steps, fingers lacing, cheek pressing cheek . . . Standing windblown and wild beneath our mighty oak . . . Crimping peach cobbler crust, belly round, face aglow. Daddy leaning close-close, eyes smiling.
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I look at Daddy then, and Daddy today. His smile different now. Happy touched with sad. Stopping at the edges of his smooth, brown cheeks.
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Mama left us when I was a sweet babe, a rock-me-in-her-arms-and-kissmy-cheek babe. I barely knew her, but I carry her in my heart. We all do. “Grandma,” I say, low so Daddy can’t hear. “Teach me? Like you did Mama?”
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Afternoon finds me hauling my bucket to Grandma’s house. Huffing and puffing. Puffing and huffing. Spilling laughter as peaches spill onto her table.
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Grandma’s sure hands guide mine.
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Tossing, stirring, mixing, kneading.
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Next Sunday, when Daddy slips out for his morning run, I’m ready.
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I set down my bucket and say, “Just me, Grandma. I got this.”
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But right off, things get messy. Peaches roll. Drop. Squish. Pressing in butter is hard, hard, and my fingers hurt. Then eggshells shatter, and bits slip in!
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I pray the rest will be easy. But dough grabs at the counter, snatches at the roller, and clumps up my fingers, pulling tears from my eyes like hot rain in a summer storm.
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I want to give up and call Grandma in from the garden. But Daddy says when you’ve got a plan, you do your best to see it through.
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I breathe deep. Then I remember the feel of flour sifting through my fingers . . .
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The air is thick and sweet when I hear church bells ringing down the road. A sure sign Daddy’s almost home. I hurry, hurry to mop up my mess. But I’m too slow. The screen door squeaks . . .
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. . . and there’s Daddy, standing tall, eyes wide. Seeing me where he expects Grandma will be. Daddy smiles so big I think his face will break open. Then he hugs me, peach juice and all, and whispers, “Thank you.”
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Grandma tells me I’m just like Mama, warm and sweet, like the cobbler that conjures her memory. That Mama lives in me. And I know she’s right.
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Then Daddy laughs, face beaming, hand firm across my back. And I know he lives in me, too. All of us together. Strong, sweet, wild, proud. Seeing things through.
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Now I make peach cobbler on summer Sundays. Peachy Peach, Peach Perfect. And Daddy and Grandma help. Side by side by side. Buckets swinging, Daddy humming. Feet whispering on our well-worn path.
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Peaches hanging like little suns in a leaf-green sky.
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WH
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UD 1. P O reh e a I f f r o t ove n t o ze n , allow 350 ° F. I 2. M f yo u t o th ix p e are u a w a . c he s, s i ng b ow lem o c a nn l. Po ed p n ju i ur in 3. M each c e , su to 8 e s, d ix bi -inch g a r , r a in s an d - s qu them thick cuit mix nu t m are b , . b at t e a m k g i i ng d lk , e t o ge er. D w ith g i t sh . g, a n her ro p c inn in a d me b at t am o l a r ge 4. B e l r n t e b s d y th e ug a r ake b u t at 3 5 te r t (i f d e s o ge t 0°F b r ow s i r e d p o o n f ul for 3 h o n. R ) . v e r th e e r t o m 0 to em o Top ake 4 ve f r p eac w ith a o m o 0 m i nu t he s. v a ni e s, o ve n Sp r i ll a i c an nk l e r un e c re t il b a m f d l e t s it u b or e bl y a for 1 x tr a 0 mi nd g y um nu t e ol de min e n s be f o re ss. ser v ing.
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