2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino

9 year old Madeleine Altimari loves to sing, but at school and in church Clare Kelly is taking all the spotlight.  Singing makes Madeleine happy, especially after her mom died.  This is an entertaining novel with several subplots:  Madeleine is chasing her dream to sing on stage and coping with a depressed dysfunctional father, a bully at school and the mean principal. Meanwhile her divorced teacher Sarina Greene may have a second chance with a former crush.  There is also the father and son relationship with the Cat's Pajamas jazz club owner Lorca and his son Alex.  Will the lives of these troubled souls breakthrough within a 24 hour time frame on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia?  This is an off-beat, original read.