Let me start this review by saving
I’m in my 50’s trying to put myself into the minds of a family of children
ranging from age 16 down.  This was a
challenging book for me to read.  There
appear to be several basic themes to this book.  They are listed in what I perceive to be their order of
importance.  Your children may disagree.

First, a skunk family moves in
under the house and it is up to the older children to figure out how to get rid
of them without "stinking up" the entire house.

Second, the young teens and
preteens learn that they can’t have their parents’ undivided attention due to
the father’s work schedule and the mother’s responsibility for tending the
younger siblings and taking care of the home.

Third, the entire family has to
cope with a mentally ill relative coming to stay for a few weeks.

Fourth, the children deal with both
hiding and "taking care" of a homeless man that takes up residence on
their land.

Fifth, a younger brother watches
the homeless man make some "moves on" his sister — obviously an
inappropriate relationship.  Although
the older man has enough sense to prevent anything from happening, it does
cause the brother some serious concern.

Recommendation:

Since the story is rather short, I
don’t want to reveal much more about this book.  I strongly urge parents to carefully read this book before
sharing it with your children.  Be
prepared for any of life’s major questions that the story may prompt your
children to ask. 

I would suggest that the family sit
down and read it together, particularly if there are preteens in the house
beginning to dream of being a teenager and coping with all the sexual tension
and other growing up concerns of this age. 
I believe this story would give the family a good chance to talk about
what is expected if certain things happen to them.  Issues such as homelessness and mentally ill people surround all
of us today.  This book will let you
teach your children how you want them to respond to these situations if similar
events should happen to or within your family.

Example:  Parents could talk to their children about the importance of not
hiding the fact that a stranger is living on their property.  They could also deal with topics such as
inappropriate relationships between teenagers and adults of the opposite
sex.  Another real-life lesson from this
book is teaching your children that mental illness does exist.  Adults with depression and other mental
illnesses do not always behave in appropriate ways. 

This book was easy to read and
would be understood by most upper elementary and middle school aged
children.  High school students will
probably think they are too adult to read this story but I strongly believe even
this age group would learn some valuable lessons. 

© 2003 Diana Pederson

Diana Pederson lives
in Lansing, Michigan.

Categories: Relationships, Children