I've been aware of this author's ability to create memorable characters ever since reading his first one, She's Come Undone back in 1992. I was utterlI've been aware of this author's ability to create memorable characters ever since reading his first one, She's Come Undone back in 1992. I was utterly blown away by his ability to portray a woman struggling with self-esteem, identity, and body image so perfectly. This man, I told myself and the many others to whom I recommended the book, really understood those who are all too often overlooked, misunderstood, and forgotten. That's the case once again in this, his latest novel. The protagonist, Corby Ledbetter, isn't particularly sympathetic during the book's opening pages. He's in total denial about his addiction and his carelessness as well as his dishonesty toward his wife, Emily, about his job searches even as he tries to hold down the home fort while she pursues a teaching career. If his life has been falling apart before, it only gets worse once he accidentally runs over his twin son, Niko. Sentenced to three years in prison, Corby struggles to find a way forward and a way to forgive himself or to hope that his family can forgive him. The novel raises important questions about humanity, redemption, the justice system, and takes readers to some very dark and disturbing places as Corby deals with abusive guards and silence and anger from his wife. But ultimately, he is saved by the friendship of a gregarious cellmate, a prison librarian, and a mural that he initially paints reluctantly. There are several passages that brought me close to tears and others that made me smile, but this book doesn't offer any easy answers or resolutions to the questions it poses. As Corby's sentence nears its end, I wondered how everything would be resolved, and while I shouldn't have been surprised, given the timeframe, at how the author wraps everything up, I was, and I closed the book wondering about what might have been, for Corby and so many others like him. I'll be thinking about this story for some time. ...more
After her father's death, Lucretia Sanderson and her move to the small town of Candle Island, Maine, in order to heal and build their lives again. TheAfter her father's death, Lucretia Sanderson and her move to the small town of Candle Island, Maine, in order to heal and build their lives again. The small tourist town has appeal for them for many reasons, partly because of its beauty and isolation, but also because Lucretia has a secret, one that isn't revealed right away. While she and her mother paint, she also tends to a young osprey and forms a friendship with Bastian, one of the locals. He, too, has a secret that she accidentally discovers. As Lucretia deals with the animosity of Murdock, another local, she also lands in the midst of a conflict between the locals and the tourists, a conflict that builds inexorably across the book's pages. As with all books by this author, this one has an interesting setting and plot, characters that are richly drawn, and questions about grief, loss, voice, and being true to oneself. In many respects it's also an homage to art, writing and music (all means of self-expression) and the power they have to help us find our way and heal....more
Fans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set durFans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set during the 1930s and 1940s. The two protagonists, Del and Rae Lynn, haven't had easy lives, and readers may be shocked at the events that open their separate stories. While the slow burn of their relationship and the redemption they eventually find in each other is appealing, what sets this story apart from many others is how the author weaves in details about the turpentine camps and pine forests where their paths cross. Swallow Hill, which is one of those camps, is not the easiest or safest of places, and racism and sexism run rampant there. Amid the natural beauty of the setting, there is evil, anger, and violence, and kindness is often regarded as weakness. The descriptions are lush, sometimes raw, and the emotions and sentiments expressed are honest and just as appealing as the book's characters. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling back in time to learn more about longleaf pines and turpentine and considering what the land must have been like before so many of those pines were carelessly destroyed. ...more
A forty-two-year-old nurse, Valerie Gillis, disappears while hiking the Maine portion of the Appalachian trail. Volunteers and rescue teams gather to A forty-two-year-old nurse, Valerie Gillis, disappears while hiking the Maine portion of the Appalachian trail. Volunteers and rescue teams gather to try to find her or locate her body, if she is no longer alive. The author raises the tension in this slow-burning novel with authentic details about the trail and hikers as readers follow Valerie day by day as she rations her food and water and she writes letters to her mother in order to pass the time and remain sane. At the center of the search is Beverly, a game warden for the state, whose own relationship with her mother is complicated. A third perspective is offered through the eyes of Lena, 76, a birdwatcher living in a retirement community, who is estranged from her own daughter but with an unlikely online connection who might be involved in Valerie's disappearance. While this is a mystery with small clues dropped bit by bit, it's also a story of survival and one that examines the relationship between mothers and daughters. It will certainly prompt reflection about survival as well as readers' own familial and friendship relationships. ...more
I liked this historical fiction title even more than the author's previous one, The Secret Life of Sunflowers. Just as the other one follows the life I liked this historical fiction title even more than the author's previous one, The Secret Life of Sunflowers. Just as the other one follows the life paths of two different female characters, so does this one, making the plots quite similar. But that's perfectly okay since we can never have enough stories about strong females with dreams and the determination to succeed and thrive against all odds. Plus, the fact that one of the protagonists is Suzanne Valadon, a half-forgotten artist who grew up in the poor section of Paris in the 1870s, eventually hobnobbing with all the famous artists of her time, including Renoir, van Gogh, and Degas, and even musician Eric Satie. Self-taught, she was a trapeze performer, a wreathe-maker, and a model, becoming the first woman to be named to the Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts, all fascinating elements that tick all the buttons for what I look for in a book. Ellie, the other protagonist, is interesting in her own respect too since she's in mourning over the loss of her husband, Chris, and the life that they thought they'd have, when unexpected events change everything for her. The loss of her job is disappointing, but she pulls herself together and finds a way forward, finding inspiration in Valadon's life and example. There is plenty of detail about the art world and painting as well as interesting historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the narrative, making readers feel as though they have traveled back in time. It's a fast read, but it's also deeply involving. ...more
As other reviewers have said, I will read anything written by Nic Stone. Her books raise important questions and don't provide easy answers, and her cAs other reviewers have said, I will read anything written by Nic Stone. Her books raise important questions and don't provide easy answers, and her characters are complex and relatable. If you haven't read the previous books in this series [Dear Martin and Dear Justyce], definitely check them out first, and of course, if you have read them, you won't want to miss this one since it features some of the characters in the previous books. The protagonist, Jared Christensen, a privileged college white boy who considers himself to be woke although that doesn't stop him from enjoying the advantages his skin color and family wealth afford him, decides to run for Junior Class Council President on a platform calling for equity and inclusion. He has two opponents--John Preston who is vocal in his disgust with representation and quotas and Dylan Coleman, a Black transfer student with a similar agenda to Jared's. Dylan's involvement in the election prompts much soul-searching on the part of Jared, who questions his own commitment to equity and the causes he says he supports even while feeling attracted to Dylan. As an outlet and way of being honest with himself, he writes letters to his friend Manny, who died two years ago. What makes Jared's story so special and worth reading is how his emotions and actions will feel familiar to many readers just like him whose hearts are in the right place but who don't always follow up their intentions with actions. Realizing this will make some of them/us feel quite uncomfortable and guilty, but the book encourages honest, healthy dialogue about his behavior and that of others while also examining the influence of family on the values of their offspring. It's also worth pondering how important winning is and what each of us might do if we had explosive, damaging material in our hands that could help us win an election. While some parts of the book didn't ring true and I wondered about that Constitutional Law class as well as how challenging it must have been for Stone to write about a white character, I also had to confront some of my biases and remind myself that white authors have been writing Black characters for quite some time. Don't hesitate to read this book and then be sure to discuss it with others in and even outside of your circle and comfort zone. ...more
Unfortunately, in the schools in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, where I taught, almost all of the students were on free or reduced lunch. While Unfortunately, in the schools in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, where I taught, almost all of the students were on free or reduced lunch. While this was problematic and indicative of the economic struggles of their families, one positive byproduct of this situation was that no one seemed bothered or embarrassed by receiving free lunch. That's not the case for sixth grader Rex Ogle, who receives free lunch at his new school in Birmingham, Texas. While the meal may be free, it takes a heavy emotional toll on Rex, who must constantly remind the lunch lady that he's on the free lunch roll while also taking steps to ensure that his friends don't know about his status, something about which he's embarrassed. Rex is dealing with a heavy load since he also faces verbal, physical, and emotional abuse from his mother and her boyfriend whose economic statuses are less than stable, and he feels responsible for his little brother, Ford. This is one of the rare books that tackles hard topics such as poverty and abuse honestly and empathetically, at some points even offering grace to the narrator's mother when he realizes that she's also unhappy because of the life she's leading and the lack of a way out. There are moments of happiness and glimmers of hope amid some of the darker moments. This book should be required reading for educators and for this nation's policymakers so that they can associate the issue of poverty and homelessness with real individuals and understand the complexity of poverty. This memoir certainly offers much to consider and discuss. ...more
Although the writing didn't particularly impress me since it was a bit clunky, simplistic, with odd coincidences, and it didn't build tension the way Although the writing didn't particularly impress me since it was a bit clunky, simplistic, with odd coincidences, and it didn't build tension the way that might have been expected, I'm still glad that the book was written since it's an important topic--residential boarding schools for Native Americans and the generational trauma that resulted from those experiences--and one only rarely, if ever, addressed in books for children or middle graders. In this one, the protagonist, twelve-year-old Summer, who is Cree, soaks up the culture and comfort as she's surrounded by family members living on the Cree reservation in Alberta, Canada. She and her cousin, Autumn, become interested in history, spurred on by the strange dreams Summer has about a girl who is running away from the boarding school during freezing weather. Plus, as the members of the community prepare to gather for a protest march, some of the elders, including Summer's own grandfather, slowly start sharing their own stories about those boarding schools and as some of the mass graves near the former schools are unearthed. There are several culturally rich passages and references in the narrative, and the story itself is hopeful despite its troubling subject matter. ...more
Beginning in 1492 and concluding in 2003, this book follows four generations of a Sephardic Jewish family from Spain to Turkey to Cuba to Miami and baBeginning in 1492 and concluding in 2003, this book follows four generations of a Sephardic Jewish family from Spain to Turkey to Cuba to Miami and back to Spain again. In the first section, Benvenida, whose mother has taught her to read and write, and her family must flee their home during the Spanish Inquisition unless they renounce their faith. They journey by sea to Turkey, but there are losses along the way. Flash forward to 1923 when Reina, a budding feminist and skillful oud player, is banished to Cuba by her father for what he considers an act of rebellion. Flash forward again to 1961 as Reina's daughter, Alegra, at 12, volunteers to help eradicate illiteracy in the rural parts of the county, but her service is interrupted when her family is endangered due to her father's opposition to Fidel Castro. Flash even further forward as her daughter, Paloma, visits Spain with Alegra, Reina, and her father, in order to connect with parts of her family history. Culturally rich and filled with characters and situations who sometimes seem larger than life even while being quite relatable, this novel taught me quite a lot about the prejudices that have existed over the centuries and parts of Jewish history about which I was completely unaware. The impact of those who came before us and their experiences, culture, and resilience cannot be overstated. While at first I was disappointed to be left with gaps between the first generation and the second, in the end, I could understand the author's decision to focus on the ones that she did. The fact that parts of the book were inspired by her own family lends even more significance and poignancy to the stories. ...more
Senior Noor Khan is less than thrilled when her mother uproots the family, moving them from Chicago to Bayberry, Illinois, after her father abandons tSenior Noor Khan is less than thrilled when her mother uproots the family, moving them from Chicago to Bayberry, Illinois, after her father abandons them. It's a quiet town, very white and conservative, and Noor plans to quietly sleepwalk through the rest of the year even while dealing with her feelings of loss, anger, and confusion over his betrayal. However, when her learns about the restrictive English curriculum and a new book challenge policy, she can't remain silent. Along with new friends Faiz and Juniper, who is queer, and with support from Ms. Clayton, the school librarian, she takes action and speaks out, even reading during outdoor lunch portions of some of the books that have been removed from the library shelves. She's not the first to realize that many of the books being purged are written by queer and BIPOC authors. Before she knows it, Noor is being villainized, by the principal, some classmates, including the best friends of Andrew, a boy that just might have stolen her heart, and members of the Liberty Moms and Dads. And they don't stop with words. The author inserts some of the familiar microaggressions that Muslims like Noor's family or anyone new or different has no doubt encountered, adding to the story's authenticity. There's so much to appreciate about this book--the town's name, a twist on the classic Mayberry RFD of Andy Griffith fame, the librarian's name, the explanation of what Critical Race Theory actually is, the firm reminder of what the First Amendment means and how book banning is actually ant-American as well as how some politicians manage to twist speaking up and speaking out or dissent as being problematic and those of a trouble-maker. But most impressive of all is that this is a YA title about teen activism with the adolescents leading the way when many of the adults around them fail them. Timely, eye-opening, and hopeful, Noor's story is one not to be missed. ...more
As is the case with many readers, I'm particularly fond of those sweeping intergenerational stories. This one [4.5 for me!] is an example of this typeAs is the case with many readers, I'm particularly fond of those sweeping intergenerational stories. This one [4.5 for me!] is an example of this type of storytelling at its best. Focused on four generations of Filipino American men, the novel describes generational trauma, wounds that persist through adulthood, and the costs of not listening to one another. The book opens in 1929 when sixteen-year-old Francisco Maghabol, full of hopes and dreams, arrives in California from the Philippines. It then shifts forward in time to late 2019 to early 2020 when his great-grandson Enzo first hears about a new virus and the possibility of moving his grandfather Emil into the family's home. While the narrative shifts back and forth between those characters, it also visits Emil's past and that of Chris, Enzo's father. Readers quickly begin caring about each of these four men and understanding the choices they made. While initially it might be tempting to judge them for their actions or inability to communicate, over the course of the book readers understand that they all did the best they could. Each one wanted the best for the next generation despite their differences and despite the fact that they didn't always know how to express their love for their families. For certain generations such as my own father's, love was shown through stability and providing the necessary needs, not necessarily through words or deep conversations. Like Enzo, my heart aches at those missed opportunities to genuinely know one another and understand the impact of the past on the present. Certainly, it isn't necessary to be Filipino American to connect with this well-written story, but as it's presented, it's filled with cultural richness, a history of the farm labor movement, and portions of Filipino and United States history. Some of this was completely unfamiliar to me, and I'm grateful to the author for telling these stories and opening my eyes even further to yet another injustice to others for which our country is responsible. This is a must-read. ...more
Although it isn't the land or the lands that are motherless in this engaging novel [3.5 for me!] set in England and in Lagos, Nigeria, the two daughteAlthough it isn't the land or the lands that are motherless in this engaging novel [3.5 for me!] set in England and in Lagos, Nigeria, the two daughters at its heart are certainly motherless, one due to an early death and the other due to her mother being emotionally unavailable and manipulative. Funke, called Kate when she moves to England after her mother's death, and Liv, her cousin, are characters about whom it's easy to care. As an unexpected betrayal changes the course of Funke's life once again, Liv, too, faces challenges, but each girl reacts differently to those challenges. The way everything wraps up is a bit too convenient, but that won't matter because readers will be rooting for a happy ending, relieved to see that Margot, Liv's mother, gets exactly what she deserves. As written in this story, she may be one of the worst villains to ever appear on the printed page. The story of the bond between two cousins plays out against the backdrop of racism, sexism, sizeism, colonialism, and identity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book even with some of its predictable aspects. ...more
I'd seen this title [4.5 for me!] in my feed several times, and after watching the Netflix movie, which is quite a bit different from the book, I knewI'd seen this title [4.5 for me!] in my feed several times, and after watching the Netflix movie, which is quite a bit different from the book, I knew I needed to read it. I finished it feeling blown away by the writing and fascinated by its subject, Robert Peace, and am continuing to mull over several questions about poverty, potential, the environment, choices--and it can certainly be argued that while Peace made several poor choices, it can also be argued that these were forced choices and that his options were narrower than they might have been, given his circumstances. How does someone navigate two very different worlds like the poor New Jersey neighborhood into which he was born and the privileged, decidedly white world of Yale into which he was granted access? What is lost and gained by trying to live in both worlds? Is that even possible? What responsibilities does a place like Yale in its Ivy League splendor and glittering possibility have to students like Rob? How could he have been saved from his early death? Relying on 300 hours of interviews recorded with those who knew Rob as well as his own memories from their time as Yale roommates, the author paints Rob as brilliant, troubled, entertaining, and caring, and yet, at times, lost. It's impossible to read this story and not mourn his loss and shake one's head over all that brilliance and potential and consider what might have been as well as what our own lives might have been like had we been dealt the cards Robert Peace was handed. What would we have done? How would we have coped? Even though Rob died in 2011, almost a decade and a half ago, his loss still hurts, and Hobbs's book reminds us that this life mattered. This is a book that necessitates sitting quietly for a few moments of reflection after reading it. ...more
As can probably be proven from my bookshelves, I love biographies and memoirs, and as soon as I saw this one, I knew that I would simply have to read As can probably be proven from my bookshelves, I love biographies and memoirs, and as soon as I saw this one, I knew that I would simply have to read it. I am of the generation that remembers when journalists and broadcasters were respected and unbiased, and I can certainly recall watching Connie Chung in her various roles at CBS, including anchoring the nightly news, and being impressed with how polished she was. This book highlights some of the sparkling and disappointing moments during her long career, offering just enough details to intrigue readers and allowing her personality to come through. One of the notable aspects of the book in addition to how it gives readers glimpses into news reporters and what goes on behind the scenes is how grateful Chung is. Throughout the narrative, she constantly acknowledges those who proceeded her, paving the way for her to become the first Asian to anchor a United States news program. She shares details about her parents' move from China to the U.S., the racism and sexism she faced, and her struggles with fertility. Surprisingly, she exhibits a keen, self-deprecating type of humor, a humbleness, and keen insight into the broadcasting and political world that make her story unique and worth reading. While I wish she had delved more deeply into how she sees news and reporting changing over the past couple of decades, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir. I gained a whole new appreciation for her husband, Maury Povich, as well. ...more
Although there certainly is magic in this follow-up to the previous Meesh the Bad Demon and Meesh takes her new role as a Guardian seriously, the plotAlthough there certainly is magic in this follow-up to the previous Meesh the Bad Demon and Meesh takes her new role as a Guardian seriously, the plot also focuses on prejudices and the assumptions we make about others, which elevates this story from many others. Meesh's friend Chai is in trouble. Just as his family starts to feel as though they are home, they are attacked and forced to leave. While the blame for the violence quickly falls on a familiar suspect, as Meesh works to save the lands that are threatened, she uncovers the reasons for the violence, hatred, and mistrust among the fairies, demons, and fairy-demons. The seed of hate was sown many years ago, but it's based on an assumption that is simply not true. Perhaps some readers will recognize their own prejudices while reading this graphic novel with its appealing, relatable characters and intense Photoshop illustrations. This book and the entire series do a fine job of turning the tables on what it means to be a "bad" demon while reminding readers that strength and magic lie within each of us. ...more
Fans of the previous graphic novel, Huda F Are You? will love this further glimpse into the lives of the Fahmy family as they embark on a road trip toFans of the previous graphic novel, Huda F Are You? will love this further glimpse into the lives of the Fahmy family as they embark on a road trip to Disney World. Huda and three of her sisters are thrilled to visit the theme park, but the trip there is less than ideal since they are crowded together in the back seat and stop along the way to eat the food their mother has prepared for them. Since the family is visibly Muslim with their garb, including hijabs, Huda feels that they stick out like sore thumbs everywhere they go, including the theme park where most of the visitors are dressed scantily and no one except her family is praying in public. There's so much to unpack in this humorous graphic novel, including her parents' purpose behind the road trip, Huda's new appreciation for her siblings, and her feelings about her identity as well as how she learns to stand up for herself. As was the case with its predecessor, this one was a delight from start to finish. It's a 3.5 for me. ...more
Ah, what a better world we'd have if more of us remained quiet for a few moments and listened to the trees! Written in haibun, which combines haiku anAh, what a better world we'd have if more of us remained quiet for a few moments and listened to the trees! Written in haibun, which combines haiku and prose, this picture book biography describes the formative years, the inspiration, and the career of George Nakashima, a talented woodworker, eschewing a career in architecture for one involving making furniture. Having traveled widely, Nakashima, a Nisei who was born in the United States, had barely returned to the United States and opened his own shop, when paranoia prompted the U.S. government to incarcerate George and his young family during WWII. But even there, despite the unpleasant conditions, Nakashima continued to hone his craft, learning from others. After the war, they moved to Pennsylvania, where they built their own home and started George's business. The text and illustrations beautifully depict the respect Nakashima had for trees but also for timber, the wood from cut trees. This admiration for the grains of the trees led him to embark on an ambitious project to build massive peace altar tables. As if his life weren't interesting enough, the back matter, which includes descriptions and sketches of the time-consuming woodworking process, also contains photographed examples of his work, leaving readers such as I in awe at the patience, attention to detail, and imagination of this talented man, who clearly listened to the trees throughout his live. The author's text is nimble, expressive, and reflective, and the digital artwork is filled with large shapes and colors, both a stunning tribute to Nakashima whose work is clearly unique. ...more
What a clever way to handle tough topics! In this graphic novel with a variety of sizes of panels and different colored text for different speakers, mWhat a clever way to handle tough topics! In this graphic novel with a variety of sizes of panels and different colored text for different speakers, middle grader Lonnie is struggling to accept his parents' divorce and having two different homes as well as issues of identity, being different from classmates whose parents live together, and how to deal with conflict. These are hard topics, often shunned by parents and their offspring, and after his father picks him up after school each day, Lonnie buckles up for the ride and broaches some of those issues. Many readers will be familiar with the experience of being trapped in the car with a parent and how that affords them the chance to talk things out or simply remain silent and ignore any issues that might be troubling them. Kudos for Lonnie for holding his father accountable for his words and actions, including careless, dismissive remarks about a classmate's two moms and about therapy and mental health. The facial expressions of the characters speak volumes, and this book could serve as a starting place for other families such as Lonnie's as they have those challenging conversations. This is a fast but important read, easily enjoyed by its intended young audience but the adults in their lives as well. I loved how Lonnie's mother reprimanded her son and daughter, Nicole, for calling each other stupid, instead insisting that they are "young, gifted, and Black" (p. 10), and how they pick up on her assessment. While the conversations with Mom driving her children to their destinations aren't as deep as those Lonnie has with his father, they're still important as well. ...more
High schooler Calvin Greene and his parents have fled Chicago for the Pennsylvania suburbs after violence and a tragedy disturbed their quiet lives. SHigh schooler Calvin Greene and his parents have fled Chicago for the Pennsylvania suburbs after violence and a tragedy disturbed their quiet lives. Since the Greenes are white-skinned, they are able to pass for white, even buying a house in a white-only neighborhood, and having Calvin attend the local white school. But his passing comes at a price. As time passes, Calvin becomes increasingly uncomfortable pretending to be someone he isn't, having to rebuff the attentions of a determined neighbor girl, hiding his love for jazz, and watching in horror as Lily, a local Black girl, enters the school and endures systematic bullying. Since the story is set in 1955 after the murder of Emmett Till, who Calvin knew as Bobo back in Chicago, the fictionalized portion has even more resonance, emotion, and relevance, particularly when read through the perspective of today's political climate. The dangers of traveling through certain towns after sundown, the helpfulness of the Green Book, and the fears that caused others in Calvin's circle to remain silent are all covered in this page-turner. There's even a subplot concerning Calvin's older brother, Robert, and the small community he's cobbled together. Calvin is relatable because of his honesty, his mistakes, and how he often fails to realize the consequences of his actions for others. But he's also heroic for those same things. Anyone trying to understand parts of American history and the intricacies of being true to oneself and putting oneself and others in jeopardy and living a lie that promises safety yet means denying part of one's identity will find answers--and some questions--in this engaging, well researched historical fiction title....more
Finally, a book [3.5 for me!] for middle graders or tweens about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls epidemic! Told with heart, grace,Finally, a book [3.5 for me!] for middle graders or tweens about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls epidemic! Told with heart, grace, and insight, this riveting, important, and timely story features a sympathetic protagonist in twelve-year-old Wren MacIntosh, whose mother, who is Cherokee, went missing more than five years ago. Wren's father, who is white, is the sheriff in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Now Wren spends her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter and searching online for possible clues as to her mother's whereabouts. The author effectively builds suspense around Wren's determination to find who's been harming local animals in her community as well as local authorities' discovery of remains that might be her mother. The emotional ups and downs she experiences are portrayed quite vividly as are her encounters with MJ, a teen bully who constantly harasses her and specializes in cruel, racist remarks. Then, too, Wren unexpectedly grows close to Brantley, a classmate with secrets of his own, adding to the book's complexity. Wren's supportive father and caring maternal grandmother, Elisi, with her "Famous" meals, and Landry, who runs the Animal Control center for the area, round out the cast of interesting characters. The ache of not knowing what happened to her mother is palpable in the descriptions of Wren's everyday life. This debut novel is well worth reading, reminding readers that despite what society and authorities may say, some lives seem more important than others. Parts of the plot are a bit hard to believe, but those small flaws don't detract from this story's importance. I can't wait to read more books from this author. ...more