Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Early Elementary (as a read aloud), Mid Elementary, Late Elementary, Middle School, High School

Much like Heidi, this book is primarily about a pair of school-aged children but is so well-written that kids at many ages could enjoy it. I cannot recommend this story enough as a family read-aloud, for younger children, or as an independent read.

Possible Concerns:

  • Death. The children’s mother dies at childbirth.
  • Poverty. The father struggles because after the death of the mother he can’t keep watch of the children and raise a living.
  • Tragedy and Guilt. Lucian hangs a beloved cat over a ledge as a taunt to little Danny, but to Danny’s dismay the cat scratches Lucian, who drops the cat by mistake. Danny, who loves the cat, chases after the cat and falls over the ledge as well, breaking his leg. Lucian considers himself a murderer, as he doesn’t realize Danny is still alive. Much of the story involves Lucian’s transformation as he feels deep guilt over the tragedy and learns to love and be loved in the aftermath.
  • Forgiveness (or lack thereof) of the aforementioned episode with the boy going over the ledge. Danny’s older sister holds anger in her heart for a long time.
  • Negativiity about math. The girl is described as not being good at math in a couple places.
  • Gossip, and Bitterness. The town of gossipers fails to forgive the boy who dropped the cat over the ledge for the pain it caused the young one following after it.
  • Gender roles. The boys have a carving contest and girls are invited to submit knitting/needlework.

Things I liked:

  • So many Gospel messages: Prayer, Forgiveness, loving even when not loved in return…. it is so good!

This book is also highly recommended by ChristianParentReviews.com.