I like Byars but this one was too superficial. And the idea of not judging a recluse has been done better, notably in Onion John. ( )

This is sparse, powerful and wonderfully written. Filled with lovely poetic images of life in 1889, it is a tale of impressions seen through the eyes of Amen McBee, the youngest of five sisters.

Mr. Tominski is a secretive man who lives on the McBee property. Long ago he rescued Amen's father. In gratitude, he is allowed to remain on the property and is respected by Amen's father. When Amen's twin sisters weave nasty tales of Mr. Tominski, difficult feelings arise and misunderstanding abounds with dire consequences.

I liked this book. Each word was used wisely and, without pounding the message, the author made a sensitive point about understanding those who are different.

Recommended. ( )

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-7–Betsy Byars' family saga of one summer in the life of a family at the turn of the century is a simple story, but it contains a powerful message (Viking, 2002). The book's theme revolves around words, their beauty and their power to change lives. The tale is told by Amen, the youngest of six daughters in the McBee family, all of whose names begin with the letter A, as does their father's name. Their mother is a detached, reclusive woman named Lily, separated from the family by her delicacy and her name. The girls spend much time together, and are parented by their very much unloved Aunt Pauline. Amen, or Amie as she is called, is a "wordsmith" according to her grandmother, since she uses words and poems to understand and celebrate the world around her. She is introduced to the recluse, Mr. Tominski, who lives in their chapel, by her identical twin sisters who are known collectively as the Bellas. The twins delight in scaring Amie with their games, and they paint Mr. Tominski as a child-eating monster. Amie is intrigued by the man and his gentle way with the doves he has tamed. When a cruel remark by the Bellas causes Mr. Tominski to react with terror, Amie commemorates his life and his place in their family with a poem. The book's 26 short chapters each begin with a letter of the alphabet, and are filled with wonderful symbolism and symmetry. Cassandra Campbell reads Amen's words as dexterously as if they are poems, and her inflections reflect the assorted personalities of the McBee family. The result is a wonderful portrait of family life at the end of the 19th century, as well as a thought-provoking tale about judging people and the sometimes elusive quality of truth.–MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY
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