Stories written for teens and middle schoolers can be very satisfying reads. When I was a librarian in the Young Adults Department at the Allen County Public Library I read most of the new books we were purchasing to understand the material and categorize it for our purposes. I became hooked on Blume, Zindel, and Ellen Conford, among others. I still enjoy reading YA book. I like the people, the plots, and quite often the characters are really well drawn. And maybe I have never grown up. Anyway, when received SUMMER SANCTUARY by Laurie King, (Luminis Books,13-978-935462-34-70) I read it all in one sitting.
Ms. Gray tells her story through the voice of Matthew, a going on thirteen youth who is wise for his age, smart, and a kid I would like. He is a preacher's kid and has 3 younger brothers and his mother is expecting another child. He is studious; his closest brother in age is athletic, taller, better at sports. But this is a family that gets along well. The author depicts a family that meshes, is tolerant, and who welcomes intellectual curiosy. And a family who seems to respect the individual and allow for some personal responsibility, The boys are all home schooled and the library is one of Matthew's haunts. Here he meets Dinah, a somewhat older girl who befriends him. Or perhaps it is the other way around. She seems to be at loose ends because her mother is "away" for about 20 more days and she is kid of living on the streets. Seems her mother's boyfriend is too friendly and she does not stay home. Throught the course of the story we learn what away really means and why. Matthew finds her a place to sleep in his father's church, the sanctuary of the title, if you will. He goes to great subterfuge to get food to her and not let his family know about his secret friend.
What makes this book stand out is not only the deft writing or the good characterizations. It is the tone of the story and the attitudes of the people involved. There is a warm family relationship shown in Matthew's family. They care about each other and others and it shows. The depiction of personal relationships is exquisitely done. Matthew's desire to help Dinah seems to spring from lessons he has learned at home. And the religious aspect of this book is always there, but not so much that the reader feels overwhelmed by thou shalts. and thou shalt nots This is a book about compassion, caring, and understanding.
There are no drunken orgies or violent acts. There is some questionable behavior by irresponsible adults, but solutions are offered. The climax of the story is funny, witty, and moving, It takes place at the church, involves a parishioner who brings her dog, and a sermon about sanctuary, It also involved the imminent arrival of the baby in Matthew's family.
Matthew will learn that it is not easy to hide things from parents and that a loving family can be very supportive when one is learning to be grown up, There is even a solution for the dilemma facing Dinah and her mother.
I can heartily recommend this book. And not just for middle schoolers. It is a breath of fresh air and offers a reaffirmation that not everything has to be sordid and violent. Oh, evils are covered well in this book. drinking and driving, Sexual predators. Homeless and neglected children. But not in a sensational manner. In a way, that makes the presentation all the more compelling. I really appreciate the fact that Ms.Gray treats her young people as "persons" and never makes them less valuable than adults.
I think I would like to read more about this family and the other children. I am sure they must be as interesting as Matthew.
The author was graduated from Goshen College and received a law degree from Indiana University. She also has taught Spanish to high schoolers, worked as an interpreter in Guatemala and is a trial lawyer. She is a child advocate and is the founder of Socratic Parenting, LLC.
No comments:
Post a Comment