Hoopi Shoopi Donna - Tapa dura

The accordian-playing apple of her father's eye, young Donna Milewski struggles with a painful estrangement from her father after the arrival of her adorable and destitute Polish cousin, a situation that is alleviated by their shared love of music.

Suzanne Strempek Shea grew up in Three Rivers, Massachusetts where she listened to Polish music, ate Polish foods, recited Polish prayers, and heard Polish histories. Her second floor apartment was across the street from Pulaski Park, also known as 'The Polka Capital of New England.' She attended a Catholic elementary school, and in first grade began the years of accordion lessons that would make her the hit of family gatherings. After graduating from Maine's Portland School of Art, Shea began writing features for the Springfield Union-News and was a fashion editor of the Providence Joumal Shea lives in Bondsville, MA, with her husbond, Tommy, a columnist for the Springfield Union-News. Hoopi Shoopi Donna was chosen as a New England Booksellers Association "Discovery of the Month" book.