From School Library Journal
Grade 5–8—When Jeremy Vrabec is almost 10, his mother leaves the family. This novel follows him for the next three years, during which he has no contact with her (by her choice), even though she lives nearby. Jeremy's hurt, anger, and desperation are described in short, matter-of-fact sentences with little embellishment. His father is devastated and depressed, and his 16-year-old sister, Julie, is often gone so Jeremy has to fend for himself. He finds some contentment staying at his best friend's house or with his father's brother, who treats him like a son. Jeremy uses his artistic talent to draw the birds he sees in his neighborhood (black-and-white sketches appear throughout), which also takes him away from his everyday life and allows him to experience some pleasure. Eventually, his father meets and marries another woman and Jeremy's life changes once again. Still, he hears no word from his mother, even though she is in contact with his sister. His resentment builds and when she does finally call he can hardly bring himself to speak to her, and their relationship is never really resolved. The restrained writing distances readers from Jeremy's story rather than drawing them into it, and there is never an adequate explanation for Jeremy's mother's actions that youngsters would understand.—
Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
When his mother suddenly leaves for another man, Jeremy, nine, veers between sorrow and fury. More than three years pass before Jeremy hears from her. Can he forgive her? Does she love him? When Dad eventually remarries, the new wife is an intruder, however nice she tries to be. Walking in the forest, cutting wood with Dad, and always drawing the birds he sees and hears, Jeremy tries to find his way. The slow-paced narrative may appeal more to adults than kids. Robert Frost comes to mind: Jeremy even learns to build a wall, rock by rock, and he knows he is building himself. But the beautiful, plain, short sentences and the concrete details of the New England forest, ocean, and small town bring close the timeless family drama, based on the author's own experience. Prosek's charcoal etchings of the birds Jeremy sees in all their particularity are part of the story of how his loving mother always believed in his art, even while the flaring quarrels bring up hurt, anger, and loss.
Hazel RochmanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
