Cottage on the Curve

A warm, breezy summer in a small Wisconsin town sets the stage for this nostalgic coming‑of‑age tale. Thirteen‑year‑old Jane Murray drifts through the last day of school, juggling the tug of youthful adventure with the quiet responsibilities of caring for an unexpected pet—a mischievous monkey named Butchie. The story paints the town’s leafy streets, turreted homes, and the sparkling surface of Oak Lake with vivid, affectionate detail, inviting listeners to feel the scent of lemonade, the crackle of cicadas, and the promise of endless afternoons.

As Jane balances schoolyard friendships, a yearning for simple pleasures, and the gentle chaos of family life, the narrative gently explores themes of memory, resilience, and the small miracles that sustain a community during uncertain times. The gentle humor of an over‑protective mother, the quirky charm of a rescued monkey, and the lingering echo of a world at war create a tender portrait of a childhood poised on the edge of change.