Customer Reviews

Edward's Eyes

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to be honest, I wasn't sure about this one. The cover, the blurb on the inside - it made me suspicious. I know that Patricia MacLachlan is a children's lit legend for a reason (you've heard of "Sarah, Plain and Tall" possibly?), but I still had reservations. Now, I'm not a fan of the whole "boy changes lives in a small town that seems to be lost in some idyllic yesteryear" - type story. I'm not naming names, I'm just sayin' that those types of tales aren't usually my cup of tea. I suspected that's what this one was. Sappy, corny, call it what you will. But I was wrong. With "Edward's Eyes" those labels don't stick. An emotional story well-executed.

The perspective of this tale is not provided by Edward, but rather by his older brother Jake. He's a protective older sibling, and has always known his little brother to be unique. He's more carefree, friendly, and wise than Jake will ever be. But Edward's most unique feature has to be his eyes. Edward's eyes can see a baseball better anyone in his clan, and he has the batting record to prove it: he's never stuck out. The boys are part of a big family, all the better for backyard games. When a new addition is made to the family, Edward is ready to take the child under his wing just like Jake did for him. But, just like a knuckleball, you never know where life is going to go. The unexpected sometimes happens.

MacLachlan has written a heartbreaking and sweet story that will stick with readers even after the reading is done. A quality fiction selection.

Well written. Enjoyed her writing style, but to tell you the truth at first I was confused by who was who. The reason I mention the appropriateness is because this book is ultimately about a death in the family. It's a tear jerker. I was bawling. It's not just about baseball. My son wouldn't be ready for this book. So, just something to consider if you're purchasing for your child.

Jake lives a life packed with music, art and baseball - and he has brother Edward, who is special. From discussions about being married to baseball to insights on what makes people special in the world, EDWARD'S EYES explores changes and hanging on to good times, and is a gentle, warm story young adults will find compelling.

There's no one like Edward --- everyone says so. He can throw a perfect knuckleball, he can get along with anyone, he knows how to make people laugh, he always seems to know the right things to say, and he even knows (before anyone else) that he will have a baby sister. Jake is often puzzled by his little brother and sometimes is even slightly jealous. Still, Edward is a joy, and Jake is proud to call Edward his brother.

From the first day Edward came home from the hospital and Jake looked into his beautiful blue eyes, he was hooked. Those eyes, Jake knew, looked at the world in a way no one else could. Edward was destined for great things.

The summers seem to blend, one day into another, filled with bike rides, baseball and evenings on the porch reading books. "Summer always smelled like heat, the ocean, and the spines of old books." Jack and Maeve, the parents of this loving little family (Sola, Jake, Wren and Edward), choose this time to announce that yet another baby will be joining the family. Everyone is overjoyed, and Edward announces that when "she" is born, her name will be Sabine.

Albert Groom and his dog, Weezer, live close by. Albert's father once played for the Negro Baseball League, and Albert often coaches the boys in their summer games. Weezer plays ball right along with them and seems to think, to everyone's amusement, that he's an outfielder too. Albert is as much a part of the family as anyone could be, and when Edward shows he can throw one of the best knuckleballs around, Albert's smile is full of pride.

This summer is proving to be a time of great and wonderful changes --- but not all of the changes will be easy to accept. Even quiet, peaceful lives can be totally disrupted when tragedy unexpectedly sweeps through.

EDWARD'S EYES is a wonderful book to introduce the importance of family relationships and the events that can shape them. Patricia MacLachlan, author of the Newbery Medal winner SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL, has written a charming and moving little story that will stay in your heart long after the last page is turned.

My 10-year-old son, who is way into fantasy (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc.) was encouraged to read this book. He LOVED it and used the terms "beautiful" and "magical" to describe it. He even recommended that I read it so we could talk about it. I did, and also thought is was a magical book. This is a thought-provoking read to share with your children!

Through simple language, but a powerful voice, Patricia MacLachlan brings us Jake and Edward, brothers that are three years apart. Jake remembers clearly the day his parents brought Edward home eight years ago and placed him in Jake's lap. From that moment on Jake and Edward has a special bond and Jake would swear that Edward was special. "It's his eyes" Jake says. "His eyes let him know things."

Jake and Edward spend hours playing baseball with their friends, reading books, and just being brothers. When their parents announce that they will be having another baby, Edward not only predicts the gender, but also tells his parents what the baby's name will be. He cannot wait to be a big brother, just as Jake was to him. When a tragedy strikes the family, Jake has to learn how to live his life again and how to allow Edward to somehow live his.

Edward's Eyes was a short book, but definitely packs a punch in its pages. Both Jake and Edward are written as normal, young boys, yet each has something special about him that many do not possess. It was beautifully written and definitely one of Patricia MacLachlan's best.

Beautifully written, this story of a young baseball player involves love and loss, grief and guilt. Competition and willingness to try things you're not good at are sub-themes. I'll let you know if this becomes a favorite of my students.

I read this book ounce but, twice could make me cry harder. This book was wonderful, awesome, sad and a little disapointing. Endward did not deserve to die. I know it was just a book but, it was probably the sadest book I ever read. Patricia it wasn't bad just sad. I loved every thing else. That's what I thought about this book. Ireally did love it.

This is one of those books that only gets published because the author is well-known. I don't think a brand new author writing this would have gotten published. I found it dull, and not very well written. The author didn't work hard enough to make me care about the characters, so when the boy dies, it was no big deal. One minute he's alive, and in the next page he's dead. Not much detail. I listened to this on audiobook and the reader had a monotone voice. I skipped over some of the tracks because I found myself bored. I only finished it because it was an audiobook. If you don't like wasting your money, I wouldn't bother buying this one.

This is a short book and therefore a short audio book, only about an hour and a half. So with that in mind it was a surprise to me how long it seemed to take to get to the point. We have listened to much longer audio books that have seemed to just fly by... not this one. Yes, the story is sweet, and gentle, and sad but it also isn't very interesting.

The narrator of this book is Milo Ventimiglia. He does have a very nice voice, and when I have watched his acting performances in shows such as Heroes I have never thought of him as wooden, but the flat, monotonous voice he uses for this book is quite perplexing. There was a moment in the story which was quite sad, I found myself saying, " good grief! show some emotion", but the narrator continued to read as if he was giving an inventory of his sock drawer. The blame probably lies more with the director of the production rather than the narrator, but whatever the reason, the fact remains that this is a dreadful audio production, NOT recommended. save your money!

However, the reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of one is that it did help initiate a very moving conversation with my 10 year old about organ donation, a conversation which likely wouldn't have otherwise happened at this time.