I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it it was marketed for the young adult reader, I really connected with Eli, and Silas House really nailed the spirit of the era (1976). This book is a keeper.
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
It's 1976 and 10-year-old Eli has a lot on his plate to deal with.
His father suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome and frequently wakes up with nightmares, his sister's turning into a wild child, his Aunt Noel comes to live with them and is diagnosed with cancer, and his best friend, Edie, doesn't seem to want to be friends with him anymore.
When war hits close to home, Eli struggles against all hope to keep his life together. Will Eli survive the summer or will things gets worse?
An enjoyable tale that does a great job of portraying the realities of living in America during wartime. The text is well-written, the characters are believable and are easy to relate to. Readers will enjoy following Eli as he discovers who he is and what his family means to him amidst all the chaos and conflict life seems to bring his way.
It's 1976 and 10-year-old Eli has a lot on his plate to deal with.
His father suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome and frequently wakes up with nightmares, his sister's turning into a wild child, his Aunt Noel comes to live with them and is diagnosed with cancer, and his best friend, Edie, doesn't seem to want to be friends with him anymore.
When war hits close to home, Eli struggles against all hope to keep his life together. Will Eli survive the summer or will things gets worse?
An enjoyable tale that does a great job of portraying the realities of living in America during wartime. The text is well-written, the characters are believable and are easy to relate to. Readers will enjoy following Eli as he discovers who he is and what his family means to him amidst all the chaos and conflict life seems to bring his way.
