by Sharon Gwyn Short
2013 by Plume
Beautifully set in the late 1940s, early 1950s, this book represents fairly accurately the feeling of those years and how folks thought and moved and related.
Ms. Short has given us an insightful look at adolescence in a dysfunctional family -- at how family members deal with issues and each other. While I didn't always enjoy the first portion of the book, the focus narrows, the characters deepened, and the plot line seemed to pick up and hold my attention.
The quest to allow the younger brother Will to officially claim his prize in Alaska is particularly intriguing -- and I speak as someone who generally doesn't enjoy quest literature.
What's different about this book?
The evocative setting gives an authentic feel for the early 50s and the ways life was different then. And the story of Donna and how she is both boxed in yet set free during those years and in those positions is a compelling read.
The ending comes abruptly, but it ties up the story -- and it answers the inevitable questions about what happened to the protagonists. A very satisfying conclusion.
What will I do now that I have read the book?
This will be a great historical fiction for my young adult readers who need realistic fiction set in a not-too-distant time. We will be adding several copies to our high school libraries.
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