Review: Bittersweet coming-of-age story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 21, 2013
This story is told using the alternating point of view of thirteen-year-old Olive, whose mother is in jail, father is on the road, and brother is in the army; and David, fourteen, who feels as if his parents have predetermined his future. Their plans for him include him attending the Air Force Academy and then a career in the military like his two brothers. Olive is sent to live with her Aunt Trudy, a woman who takes in stray animals and works as a volunteer at a local animal shelter; Olive feels as if she's one of her aunt's strays. She meets David while looking for a lost dog's owners.I really liked Olive. In fact, she reminded me of the character Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. She's a sweet, thoughtful girl but also spunky and a little bit of a tomboy. She misses her mother and brother and feels as if she's been forgotten. David, the boy from the rich side of town, is unhappy and a little whiny at times, but his character develops as he finds himself having to take responsibility for his actions, maturing in the process.The two share a very sweet budding relationship. ("Sweet" is the adjective I felt so often while reading this book.) The treatment of stray animals and the volunteers who care for them was a recurring theme. It made me appreciate the dedicated people out there who give their time to care for the strays and also how much work is involved (which is why I think this is an important book with its message of responsible pet ownership).This was a very good read and I'd recommend it, especially for those who care about animals.