Mari Lowe

This is a spectacular book -- both the power of the storytelling (mesmerizing) and the emotional resonance, but most of all, the beauty of a community who accepts a mother and daughter where they are and finds ways to take care of them as they work through a deep and destructive grief. I love the moments when teachers, instead of punishing the restless Aviva, send her for a short walk to refocus, or give her sanctuary for lunch time, or hold her accountable for unacceptable behavior but also recognize her creativity and spirit. It's hard to imagine a community like this at this moment in time -- small, everyone knows each other, and they aren't always kind to each other, but they all recognize and take care of each other when needed. Also perfectly 6th grade creepy.… (altro)

This was an interesting story about a mother and daughter who had lost their husband/father in a violent, antisemitic incident. Their lives became very lonely and difficult, but the daughter's dybbuk helped her through the difficult experience. Her mother became clinically depressed, and the daughter dealt with the mother's depression with the help of some of their community. It was heartwarmingl to see how most of the community was so supportive of these people, and I hope that would be true. The mother flew out of her depression much too quickly to be realistic, but the story was very touching. The daughter was extremely mature for her age.… (altro)