Nine Candles (First Person Series)
Grade 1-4?The reality of a prison sentence is brought down to a child's perspective in this unusual birthday story. Seven-year-old Raymond makes his weekly visit to this mother, who is in a correctional facility for stealing money from the restaurant where she used to work. "Mama says...she's never been so sorry for anything in her whole life. I don't like what she did, but I believe her." The boy is afraid that she has forgotten about his birthday, but when he arrives, she surprises him with a cake. Details of prison life, such as the fences, uniformed people with guns or dogs, and the experience of walking through a metal detector all add to this sensitive story. The colorful, cheerful paintings of this loving family are done in strong, bold strokes. The author notes that one and a half million children in the United States have a parent in prison. A thought-provoking picture book that shows the cost and consequences of crime.?Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CTCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.