This is a story told by a 12-year-old girl about the day her father
killed her mother.  Annie the main
character is pulled out of class and told that her mother and father were dead.

She and her younger brother, Ted, are sent to live with their maternal
grandparents who made it very clear of their contempt for their father.

Annie and Ted are thrown into another dysfunctional family.  They have a grandmother who has mood swings
and drinks and a grandfather who spends most of his time at the office because
he can’t deal with his emotions.

There are flashbacks in the story that begin
with their father losing a series of jobs. 
Violence, drinking, the mother’s abuse and finally the restraining order
all but sadly, lead to the mother’s death and the father’s suicide. 

The grandmother mentally abuses
Annie but when it becomes physical the grandfather steps in.  The grandmother is sent away.  The grandfather is left to pick up the
pieces and tries to keep a promise that things will get better.  The grandmother asks Annie for forgiveness
later on in the story and Annie gives it to her.

This is a poignant and moving story about children
coping with violence in the family.  The
children are thrown into a relationship with grandparents who hate their
father.  Only until the grandmother’s
rage gets out of control does the family pull together and deal with their
problems.  This book reveals with the
reality of life and how children can cope.  
Throughout the story Annie wonders if she can still love someone who has
done such a horrible act.  

This is a difficult story to read
because of its subject matter.  However,
the reality is written on the pages of every newspaper about family violence
and abuse. The book only depicts what is behind the print.

© 2006 Patricia Ball

Patricia
Ball, B.A., applies the following descriptions to herself:

• Research Chemist for 23 years
• BA degree in Biology, Elms
  College
• Recent graduate of Institute
  of Children’s Literature
• Wife and Mother of two
• Published Poet/Writer
• Enjoy composing music, art,
  writing, reading
• Interested in Metaphysics,
  Psychology and Science
• Enjoy traveling:  USA,
  Canada and Europe

Categories: Children