Sisters, Long Ago [Library Binding]

Peg Kehret (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1992 | ISBN-10: 0833595725 | ISBN-13: 978-0833595720

When Willow Paige nearly drowns, she envisions scenes from a past life which lead to an exploration of reincarnation and mental telepathy and set her on a quest to help give hope and strength to her sister who has leukemia.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When 13-year-old Willow Paige experiences flashbacks to an earlier life, she can't figure out what the vision means. With her sister Sarah terminally ill, her everyday existence is complicated enough without thoughts of a past life to haunt her. Through her research and advice from a New Age therapist, Willow deciphers the uncanny images as part of a former life in ancient Egypt. Her belief in reincarnation enables the girl to help her sister face death, although she realizes that few people will understand her feelings. Stiff writing and a tone bordering on didacticism keep this novel from coming to life. Willow herself seems dense, and her slow understanding robs the story of dramatic intensity. Sarah's illness is handled sensitively, however, and Willow's fundamentalist best friend adds a note of interest. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8--When 13-year-old Willow near ly drowns, she has visions of herself in another life in ancient Egypt--as Ka los, a young girl living by the Nile Riv er. Her present-day rescuer, a stranger to Willow, also appears in the visions, as Tiy, a beloved sister. Later, as Wil low reflects on her near-death experi ence, she decides to search for the girl, with whom she now feels a strong bond. Meanwhile, her own sister, Sa rah, is hospitalized with leukemia and seems to have lost her will to live. Wil low does some investigating, including attending a meeting of people who be lieve in reincarnation, and finds her res cuer, Helen, through a personal ad in the newspaper. As if this were not enough to sustain readers' interest, there is also a subplot that involves a dognapping neighbor who steals dogs and then returns them to the unsuspect ing owners for a hefty reward. This ap pealing story moves along briskly, with all the various pieces of the plot hang ing nicely together. Willow and her best friend are likable, interesting charac ters in their own right. Even Sarah and Helen, who appear only briefly, are fairly well developed. Reincarnation is presented here as a highly believable and attractive theory. Willow is firmly convinced that she once lived as Kalos, and some may find her beliefs to be na ive or overly sentimental. It will be hard to find fault, though, with Wil low's parting comments: "I know that life is like the carnival, full of music and laughter and joy. All I have to do is open the door and experience it." Sus pense is maintained up to the very end, making this a page-turner in the same vein as Kehert's Deadly Stranger. (Dodd, 1987). It is reminiscent of Lois Duncan's A Gift of Magic. (Archway, 1981).
-Bruce Anne Shook, Menden hall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 149 pages
• Publisher: Tandem Library (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833595725
• ISBN-13: 978-0833595720
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,093,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've published 45 books; all but two are for children. I wrote magazine articles, short stories, and plays for many years before I discovered that what I like best is to write books for kids.
When I was twelve, I was paralyzed with polio. I made almost a full recovery but I remember that time of my life so clearly that it's easy for me to write from the viewpoint of a twelve or thirteen-year-old.
I'm always thrilled when one of my books wins a state young reader award, because I know those awards are voted on by children.
I am a widow who was married for 48 years. I have two grown children and four grandchildren. I live on a small wildlife sanctuary near Mt. Rainier National Park and I often have deer and elk in my yard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sisters, Long Ago Review, March 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sisters Long Ago (Paperback)

Sisters, Long Ago is a wonderful novel by Peg Kehret. Willow, a teenager with a sister struggling through lukemia, has strange dreams of her past self and begins to take them seriously. Sisters, Long Ago kept me interested until the very end and I recommend it to readers of all age. The story is much deeper than reincarnation; it's about accepting people for who they are, learning and growing up, and much much more. You don't know how good it is until you read it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 9 years later and I still vividly remember this book!, September 8, 2004

By 

Melissa (Euphonies.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sisters, Long Ago (Library Binding)

I think I read this book when I was about 12 (I'm now 21) and I have to say that it was a very awe inspiring book. I didn't know much about reincarnation before this book, but the book isn't (in it's story) really about reincarnation. What I mean is... it's more about learning to deal with loss, and learning how to cope and have faith in whatever you choose to. I also vividly remember this book having almost a sci-fi sort of feel to it while it kept me guessing on why she was having these "visions/dreams" of a past life. This book truly influenced my young adult reading experince almost as much as "A Wrinkle in Time" did. I think it's educational while not trying to force any ideals/beliefs on you. Also, it's sure to keep the reader entertained. This book has heart, mystery and education all in one... what more could you want?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, April 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sisters Long Ago (Paperback)

I bought this book when it was first published, and it served as my first real exposure to reincarnation. The book is very intriguing and covers the topic in a realistic way: reincarnation workshops, skeptics, dreams, etc. The sub plots also keep you reading until the last page. This book literally opened up new worlds to me, and I hope it does the same for you!