CHILDREN'S
BOOKS
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AGES 9-12
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OUTSTANDING BOOK
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Debbie
Wiley
Book Reviews |
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Harmonicas
Photo credit: George Leung |
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Library
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
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Summer Sanctuary
by Laurie Gray
Matthew
is dreading the summer ahead of him. Not only is his best friend, Kyle,
visiting relatives for the summer, but now Matthew’s mom is pregnant
again. Instead, he meets Dinah at the library and Matthew begins
looking forward to each new day. Dinah is unlike anyone Matthew’s ever
met. She’s temporarily homeless whereas Matthew’s world revolves around
his family. How will the friendship between Matthew and Dinah change
them both?
Laurie Gray does a magnificent job with character development in SUMMER
SANCTUARY. Matthew’s voice shines through her narrative as we see a
young boy in a small town beginning to grow up. Dinah, on the other
hand, is a bit more worldly but she hasn’t lost that innocence of
childhood entirely. Matthew applies the lessons of helping others
instilled in him by his family whereas Dinah learns that there is still
goodness in the world as not everyone is like Jerry.
There’s an innocence to this tale and perhaps that is part of the
appeal. Laurie Gray doesn’t shy away from the fact that evil can and
does exist but the friendship between Matthew and Dinah provides a
sense of security and safety to both of these characters. It is a solid
reminder of the innocence and joy of those youthful friendships, where
the most important thing is spending time with a best friend and no one
cares what a person wears or where they come from.
SUMMER SANCTUARY is a beautifully written tale that should appeal to
all ages. Laurie Gray captures the heart of what it is to be young and
her characters reflect that joy. The contrast between the homeless girl
and the home schooled son of a preacher isn’t as sharp as one might
expect as Laurie Gray shows the similarities that are there if only a
person reaches for them.
Publisher: Luminis
Books (May 2010)
Reviewed
by Debbie, Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
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