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The Summer of Hammers and Angels
 
 
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The Summer of Hammers and Angels [Hardcover]

Shannon Wiersbitzky (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Price: $18.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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Book Description

July 1, 2011
Most folks have never seen an angel. I know, because I've asked them. I asked Miss Martha at the post office. "Maybe someday, Delia, God willing." God does a lot of willing in Tucker's Ferry, West Virginia. Delia's summer is getting off to a terrible start. First, an inspector shows up at the house and threatens to condemn it. Then lightning strikes, literally, and Mama ends up in the hospital. To make matters even worse, with no other family to speak of, Delia is forced to move in with her nemesis, Tommy "as-dense-as-a-stump" Parker. Not one to sit around doing nothing, Delia huddles with her best friend, Mae, and reluctantly recruits Tommy, to help. The three of them resolve to tackle the long list of repairs, one by one. But Delia quickly discovers that it takes more than energy and willingness to handle some problems. When things go from bad to worse, Delia has to take another tack, one that starts with admitting she just can't do what needs to be done without a lot more help. The Summer of Hammers and Angels is the story of an amazing summer in a girl's life, a summer of surprises and challenges, of shocks and recovery, of discoveries and friendship, and of loneliness and community.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wiersbitzky explores themes of family, home, and what it means to be good neighbors in small-town Tucker's Ferry, W. Va., through the observant eyes of feisty narrator Delia....Down-to-earth life struggles combine with inspiring generosity of spirit in this uplifting debut."
--Publishers Weekly


"The heartwarming conclusion is an unlikely miracle, but it is entirely in keeping with the flavor of this nostalgic story, which will leave readers hungry for fried chicken and Coke from glass bottles."
--Kirkus Reviews


"Shannon Wiersbitzky has written a sweet coming-of-age story that will keep readers turning the pages as Delia tells the story of her incredible summer in her own strong, clear, realistic voice." ---City Book Review

"This debut novel of self discovery and the power of prayer coupled with hard work is a must for everyone who loves story. It excites, stimulates, and, yes, it is also a tearjerker. A young adult book that would be a good read for adults, as well."
     --Catholic Library World

About the Author

Shannon Wiersbitzky was born in North Dakota, but grew up in West Virginia, Florida, and Minnesota before her parents finally settled down in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Economics and International Studies and has an M.B.A. from Duke University. Shannon currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Andreas, a native of Germany whom she met in college, and her two sons, Ryan and Alexander. This is her first novel. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 156 pages
  • Publisher: namelos (July 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1608981118
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608981113
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,825,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shannon Wiersbitzky was born in North Dakota, but grew up in West Virginia, Florida, and Minnesota before her parents finally settled down in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Economics and International Studies and has an M.B.A. from Duke University. Learn more about Shannon at www.shannonwiersbitzky.com.

Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Summer June 26, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the summer of hammers and angels. Delia was an unforgettable character whose odd jobs, hatred for Tommy Parker and self-reliant optimism made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed the book's hopeful message that prayer, hard work and love can move mountains. Although a quick read, Wiersbitzky has managed to create a summer to remember. I look forward to more books by this emerging talent.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
read it! May 25, 2011
Format:Paperback
I'm 12 and i read this book and i loved it. She's a really great writer and the plot was very well developed. I always kept wanting to read on. This is a great book to read by the pool, at the beach or on your couch. Whether your 11 or 77, it a great book for all ages. I think everyone should reading it. She's a great writer and I hope she comes out with more books soon!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Great Summer Reading! June 4, 2011
Format:Paperback
Summertime offers a chance for many kids to relax, hang out with friends, maybe read a good book. For the latter activity, I recommend The Summer of Hammers and Angels, which is a delightful story about a girl whose summer begins badly. Very badly.

Delia is an only child who lives with her mother in a ramshackle house in the small town of Tucker's Ferry, West Virginia. They have no relatives, but Mama, who works hard at the local diner, has always been there for Delia even if her homemaking and maintenance skills are not quite up to community standards. Mama believes in being independent and equates praying with wishing to someone specific. But Delia finds herself wondering if prayers -- and even angels -- might help people when things go wrong.

And everything does go wrong after an inspector shows up and delivers a long list of repairs that must be done within nineteen days or their house will be condemned. While Mama is still reeling from the news, a storm as angry as she is punches a hole in the roof, and lightning strikes her, putting her into a coma. With her mother in the hospital, Delia must live with the neighbors, including their son, her classmate, Tommy, who is decidedly not her friend. Delia makes up her mind to fix up her house and embarks on this task with the help of her best friend, Mae. But how can two kids do this overwhelming job all alone?

Delia tells her story about this special summer in a distinct voice. Each character is brought to life through small but revealing details or appropriate similes. Mr. Parker, Tommy's dad, has callused hands. Her friend, Mae, flits from here to there like a soap bubble. Old Red's voice is like coarse sandpaper and his ancient dog is better than a Keep Out sign. The setting, too, feels real because of Delia's descriptions. Old Red's yard makes her think of a prison for flowers. The pool is a spot in the creek that's about twice as wide as a grandfather's clock and deep enough for hiding -- as long as you can hold your breath.

Although The Summer of Hammers and Angels contains some serious moments and thought-provoking issues, from the beginning readers will sense its underlying optimism expressed by Delia's old friend, Miss Martha from the post office. She tells Delia that she believes things will turn out right even though she can't know for sure. And she's going to go on believing as long as it takes.

Readers can decide for themselves what to think. Is it believing and praying that help Delia?. Or is Mama right about praying being no better than wishing? And what can happen when praying becomes asking?

Mama loves sunflowers because they are the hardest working flowers -- growing so tall and following the sun each day. And determined Delia proves to be a lot like a sunflower.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Touching Book - Must Read!
It sounds kind of cheesy to say this is a 'heart-warming story', but truthfully. . . that's exactly what it is. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jackie M.
Wonderful Read!
A very incredible read! Shannon is an excellent author that can create a story you just don't want to put down. I so look forward to many more of her books. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Julie A. Maguire
A coming-of-age novel filled with hope
For a coming-of-age novel filled with hope and plenty of voice, debut novelist Shannon Wiersbitzky's book THE SUMMER OF HAMMERS AND ANGELS is sure to please. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Michelle Fayard
Debut Novel Sparkles
I read "The Summer of Hammers and Angels" in a sand chair on the beach and I can tell you it sparkled like the sun glinting off the waves. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Nancy Kelley
FANTASTIC BOOK FOR ALL AGES
The Summer of Hammers and Angels This is one of the most well written books that I have read in along time. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Denver Foster Dad
Delightful and heartwarming
This is a delightful and heartwarming novel! It tells the story of Delia, whose world is literally struck by lightning in a summer storm. Read more
Published 8 months ago by C. Saller
Great read from "Tween" to Adult!
An easy read with a great message!
Hope this author keeps writing; she delivered a valuable message of friendship, humility, and "love in action ". Read more
Published 8 months ago
Raising the Roof
This is a tight little page-turner of a coming-of-age novel with one of the strongest voices I've run across in a long time. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Alice Hollinbeck
Hammers and Angels
I thought the book was very well written. The style was a balanced mix between descriptive and succinct. It only took me a day to read it, but because the author kept me hooked. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Cheri
The Summer Of Hammers and Angels
The Summer Of Hammers and Angels is a wonderful story about a young girl who ignites a spark in a small town. Once you start reading it you won't put it down. Full of drama, humor. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Linda Brewster
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