The summer

Grade 4-6–The summer of 1960 is an eventful and special time for Nick. His mom meets Glen, the new handyman in town; Nick learns a bit more about his father, who died in the Korean War; and he finds a tiny mockingbird that, through nurturing, becomes a healthy, and seemingly happy, adult. As boy and bird bond, Marcy teaches Nick about true friendship–about loving someone enough to allow them their freedom. Plausibly written in a voice that seems appropriate for a 10-year-old boy, the story is both realistic and tender. Soft, realistic pencil vignettes and full-page drawings are nice touches that add to the storys nostalgia. Bowman shows a young bird sitting in her newspaper-lined box, and a young adult Marcy flying through Fourth of July sparklers, perching on Nicks knee as he sits quietly thinking in the large sewer pipe that is his secret place, and standing on his seed-filled hand. A note on the habits of mockingbirds is appended. Young people who enjoyed Sterling Norths Rascal (Puffin, 1990) will love Nicks story as well.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The summer 2016-11-09T02:34:00-08:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: watch movie