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In the early 1950s a family with five kids moves across town to a neighborhood of green lawns, white picket fences, and modest homes-El Monte, CA. The kids explore their large corner lot on Rio Hondo Parkway, climbing some of the dozens of walnut trees, and running through weeds and a rambling assortment of wildflowers. They’ve got it all … except for a house. Dad throws up a huge Army surplus tent which serves as their home until he can build them their Dream House. The family’s thirst for a slice of America’s newfound economic energy of the 1950s is tempered by their memories of the war and the Great Depression. Dad is squeezed by a ninety-day tent permit, and everyone is antsy about the threat of a union strike, money problems, and other unforeseen misfortune, any of which, if realized, could delay or shut down the construction of the house. Against this backdrop, Paul Kemble, Christopher’s hard-headed, perfectionist older brother, struggles against the neighborhood bully-Verlin Smoot though he would prefer to help with the house, do some cooking, and boss his younger siblings around. From his office-a creaky old outhouse-a throwaway from a neighbor, Paul researches his basic psychology book looking to track down an out of sort personality such as Smoot’s that will lead him to some clues in putting a stop to this relentless thug. Those Gypsies on Rio Hondo Parkway is middle grade fiction replete with a splash of local history, wonderful characters, a warm heart, quick and limber humor, and a story the author ‘lived’ as a child for three years-the inspiration for the work.
