Gr 5—9—As 12-year-old T. J. sits in an ER waiting room while his sister Angela is in a coma after a serious fall, pictures in the "life book" he created to take to their adoptive family jog a host of memories. The "Then" passages reveal life with a single mother unable to raise her children. From an early age, T. J. recognizes Momma's reliance on charm and lies to avoid taking responsibility. Even worse, he must keep quiet or lie himself to cover up her neglect. He takes responsibility for himself and Angela, coaxing the little girl to cooperate and avoid trouble. Brief glimmers of hope such as a visit to their grandparents or genuine interest from one of Momma's boyfriends are overshadowed by times of anxiety. When their mother leaves them to take an extended trip with the thieving boyfriend who had Angela steal for him, T. J. must reveal the truth about their situation. The "Now" scenes take place with their adoptive parents, who give him updates on Angela's condition. They reveal T. J.'s struggle to trust anyone, even two adults determined to create a stable family with him and Angela. This quiet, matter-of-fact, but compelling account will leave readers thankful for an ending that offers some hope that the children will realize that possibility. This story will resonate with thoughtful readers.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
As he waits in the ER with his adoptive parents for news of his sister's condition, T.J. looks through the "life book" that he kept while in foster care. His pictures and drawings trigger memories that slowly reveal his troubled past. Using a spare, poetic narrative voice, Welch perceptively crafts a story of children struggling to understand their mother's neglect.
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