In a shocking turn-around, her dreams are taken from her and she must bravely face the disappointing realities of her life. Ages 12 to adult. Children whose parents are far away in the Persian Gulf, may be comforted by reading of other children who have had a parent go to war. By amazing serendipity, there have been two books released in the last year about fathers who have gone off to war. Victory Gardens, Spam, rationing are described in a way that young readers can easily understand.
Readers see the difficulties and the spirit shown by women and children.
But most important of all, Ms. Ray allows us to really feel the sorrow of a Christmas without a father, the fears a child has during war and the joys of homecoming. All is done honestly, authentically and without sentimentality. In Jane Yolen's All Those Secrets in the World, the perspective of the child is much younger. Two years later, he slips more quietly back into her life. A perfect book for now, to celebrate homecoming and the reuniting of family.