911 Dauphin Street

by Rhoda Melendez

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Overview

911 Dauphin Street is the story of a young girl who is forced to separate from her brothers and move to an orphanage in another city. She never loses the determination to be reunited with them but finds herself making life-long friendships and ultimately has the opportunity to help change the course of the life of another orphan.

Description

Opinionated and quick-witted Nell Crosby has only one thing on her mind—to reunite with the two brothers she was forced to leave behind in a distant Alabama county. And as dead set as she is on never letting her new home in a strange city or the people there win her approval, her complaints and oftentimes amusing sarcasm are no match for two wise old cooks or the likable boy who refuses to be anything but her friend. Add the daily shenanigans of a small, quirky orphan girl, and Nell begins to soften. She begins to see things in a different light. Though her determination to find her brothers never waivers, she now finds herself connected to people and to a place in a way she never thought possible. Inspired by the early history of the Protestant Orphanage Street in Mobile, Alabama, 911 Dauphin Street is a down-to-earth, heartfelt story of faith, hope and healing.

About the author

Rhoda Melendez was born in Mobile, Alabama. She is married and the mother of three children, grandmother of seven. She is a publisher of a number of children's music works, but 911 Dauphin Street is her first book. Her residences have included a number of Ohio cities as well as Detroit, Michigan, and she currently resides with her husband Mike in Mobile.

Deborah	Intriguing Read “The conversational language and the historical setting of Mobile drew me into the story and kept me excited to see how each incident ended. Letters from the main character to the beloved brothers she’s been separated from, send continuous messages of faith and hope. The descriptive language of the book is almost poetic and allows the reader to see the person or scene and yet keep a curious sense of imagination. The book reminds me of Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I highly recommend it!” Read more
Wayland	Entertaining historical fiction "911 Dauphin St. is the first novel by Rhoda Melendez, and I hope it's not the last. It's a journey into 19th century life, with genuine dialogue, and characters that are so real-life they seem more historical than fictional. The book's story is consistently and logically told, and moves at a pace that isn't frenetic, nor does it drag. I liked how well the characters were developed and liked Nell and Jubie and the cooks so much, that I anticipate further books about them. I was pleasantly surprised at how this new author has written a story so interesting, entertaining, and interspersed with quotes of wisdom, and in her first attempt at writing a novel! I read many novels each year, and this one stands out to me. I recommend it to all." Read more
Betty	Authentic 911 Dauphin St. is a quick and satisfying read. The characters and the dialogue strike me as very authentic. Ms. Melendez has done her homework. I immediately felt empathy for the main character, Nell, and could envision her throughout. The reader is left with questions that would not have been easily answered in the late 1800s. I am hoping for a sequel. Read more
Melinda	Delightful Read "If you haven’t already, you really must read this book! Historical fiction based in the late 1800s, it was inspired by the life of the author’s own ancestor. It is a delightful read all the way through, one you must experience for yourself. The personalities are very well fleshed out and you will fall in love with the characters. I’m very selective with the books I choose and it checked all of my boxes. The story kept my interest all the way through.” Read more
Kelly	Captivating Book “This book captivated me right from the start. Nell’s struggles, the interactions with others and her determination to keep moving forward is heartwarming and inspiring. The characters are so real and their dialogue reminded me of days as a child with my own family. As a veteran homeschool mom, I was always on the lookout for quality ‘read-aloud’ literature that would entertain, hold your interest and exemplify upstanding character traits. This book fits the bill." Read more
Wilma	Time well spent "An independent streak runs wide in Nell Crosby; as wide as that of Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. However, her world is very different; an 1860s kitchen, a front gate with a massive oak and halls filled with other orphaned children. Nell is a thinking child filled with hope and a mature faith that gives the reader a reassurance that her future will be far better than her past. Reading 911 Dauphin Street, strolling with Nell through relationships with some colorful old Southern characters is time well spent. I hope Rhoda Melendez has more stories to share." Read more
Elaine	Captivating book "People often say, 'That book was hard to put down, just had to keep reading.' 911 Dauphin St. was certainly that for me. The story gripped me from the start and kept calling me until I finished the second enjoyable read. Life in the orphanage was not dull and the characters are captivating, making it hard to decide on your favorite one. The delightful language enabled me to almost ‘be there’ with the children and to experience the smells, the textures and atmosphere of the orphanage. I believe this is a story that will get into your heart and I’m counting on there being another book to follow." Elaine Read more
Bette Kay	A Gifted Writer Rhoda Melendez is a gifted writer with a special way of drawing you into the life and experiences of her main character, Nell Crosby, and her new friends at the Home. You feel all the emotions, loneliness, expectations and excitement she feels as she lives her new life and the new friends she meets along the way. This is a story of strength, truth and hope. You will know Rhoda is a ‘southern girl’ by her wonderful dialogue and familiar places she mentions in Mobile, her hometown. You’ll love this book. Bette Kay Read more
Cindy	Loved It I was interested in the characters and invested in the storyline from the beginning to the end. Nell’s character had to overcome many hardships in her young life. She is spunky and determined and my admiration for her grew with every page. The author built a wonderful cast of characters to surround Nell. One of my favorites was Jubie. She was full of spirit, compassion and love. Her kind little soul came through in every situation. There are many other memorable characters, both children and adults, that make this story so interesting. I highly recommend this look into the lives of the residents at 911 Dauphin Street. Read more
Charlotte	Great read I really enjoyed reading this book and getting involved in the story and the outcome at the end. Not only did the book hold my attention, I was pleased with reading about the good character in Nell and some of the others. This book shows how God's goodness wins, and I love reading about that! Read more

911 Dauphin Street

by Rhoda Melendez

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