Synopsis: "Mike was seven when his father was killed in mysterious circumstances in Afghanistan. Eight years later, the family still hasn't recovered: Mike's mom is overworked and overprotective; his younger sister Mary feels no connection to the father she barely remembers; and in his quest to be "the man of the family," Mike knows he's missing out on everyday high school life.
Then, out of the blue, Mike receives a letter from his father - the first of a series Dad wrote in Afghanistan, just in case he didn't come home, meant to share some wisdom with his son on the eve of Mike's 16th birthday. As the letters come in, Mike revels in spending time with his dad again, and takes his encouragement to try new things - to go out for the football team, and ask out the beautiful Isma. But who's been keeping the letters all these years? And how did Dad actually die? As the answers to these mysteries are revealed, Mike and his family find a way to heal and move forward at last."
My Review: I purchased this book to put on Munchkin's bookshelf for when he gets older. I am now wondering if he will enjoy it. While it is a great coming of age book with a lot of wisdom, but it is a very slow moving story. I did enjoy the idea of the letters being delivered at this crucial time from a father who had passed many years before. I can see the wisdom and advice given in the book but I really wonder if a reader of the same age as Mike will absorb it or not. That said it is still a good book and one I would encourage reading.
Then, out of the blue, Mike receives a letter from his father - the first of a series Dad wrote in Afghanistan, just in case he didn't come home, meant to share some wisdom with his son on the eve of Mike's 16th birthday. As the letters come in, Mike revels in spending time with his dad again, and takes his encouragement to try new things - to go out for the football team, and ask out the beautiful Isma. But who's been keeping the letters all these years? And how did Dad actually die? As the answers to these mysteries are revealed, Mike and his family find a way to heal and move forward at last."
My Review: I purchased this book to put on Munchkin's bookshelf for when he gets older. I am now wondering if he will enjoy it. While it is a great coming of age book with a lot of wisdom, but it is a very slow moving story. I did enjoy the idea of the letters being delivered at this crucial time from a father who had passed many years before. I can see the wisdom and advice given in the book but I really wonder if a reader of the same age as Mike will absorb it or not. That said it is still a good book and one I would encourage reading.
My Rating: I enjoyed this book for me personally but I wonder if it will be something Munchkin or anyone else in the appropriate age range will enjoy. It is a rather slow moving story with not a lot of climax or action. I give it a rating of Three Paws.
It sounds like a great story. I often read books and wonder if someone younger (who the book was written for) can truly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a good story. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if something will be a hit in the younger age range.
ReplyDeleteI agree when reading books for a younger audience you sometimes wonder if they will capture attention. I think reading this one you can really appreciate it and think back to when you that age and ignored all the advice from your parents and elders.
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