My Father’s Words

My Father’s Words by Patricia MacLachlan, 135 pages

Fiona’s world is turned upside down when her father is killed in a car accident.  She, her little brother Finn, and her mother have to learn how to cope without their father.  While Fiona struggles, she thinks that Finn has a harder time than she does.  She wants to help Finn but isn’t sure how.  Their neighbor, Luke, finds an opportunity volunteering at a dog shelter.  Fiona hopes that Finn will respond to the dogs’ need and be able to find a way to deal with his feelings.  This was a sweet book for younger chapter book readers.

Twenty-one Truths About Love

Twenty-one Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks 241 pages  I read a galley - book is due out in October, 2019

Daniel love his wife, Jill, more than anything. However, he's keeping secrets from her and now that she's pregnant, he is afraid he will lose her. Faced with losing his bookstore, Daniel is also struggling in what he feels is the shadow of his wife's first husband (who is deceased), as well as his estrangement from his own father.

Told entirely through the lists that Dan makes, this book is humorous, touching, unique, and quite personal.  I will admit, I stuck with this book because I really loved the author's previous book, Memoir of an Invisible Friend.  However, a book told entirely through lists was an exercise in patience for me to read. Admittedly, while I liked Dan most of the time, I sometimes wanted to shake him; he sometimes drove me nuts. Maybe that's the point, though, when the book is told entirely in a way that's the main character expressing his inner thoughts.  It's definitely a creative way to go about storytelling.  Did I love it enough to keep it and re-read it again and again?  No.  However, I liked it and believe there are readers who will really enjoy it.

The Most Important Thing

TheMost Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers & Grandfathers by Avi, 216 pages

“One of the most beloved writers of our time presents seven short stories exploring the vital ties between fathers and sons. Luke sees the ghost of his father but can't figure out what Dad wants him to do. Paul takes a camping trip with the grandfather he's just met and discovers what lies behind the man's erratic behavior. Ryan has some surprising questions when he interviews his prospective stepfather for the job. In a compellingly honest collection of stories, multiple-award-winning author Avi introduces seven boys--boys with fathers at home and boys whose fathers have left, boys who spend most of their time with their grandfathers and boys who would rather spend time with anyone but the men in their lives. By turns heartbreaking, hopeful, and funny, the stories show us boys seeking acceptance, guidance, or just someone to look up to. Each one shines a different light on the question ‘What is the most important thing a father can do for his son?’" This was a good, solid collection of stories.  I think that it would have a lot of appeal for elementary age kids, especially boys.

Fortunately, The Milk

Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman     101 pages

One morning, after their mother has gone away on a trip, the kids realize that they are out of milk for breakfast so their father decides to go get some.  He is gone for a terribly long time and when he comes back he tells the kids a fantastic story about why he was late, that includes aliens, pirates, a stegosaurus, a volcano, the Eye of Splod, and a Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier, just to name a few.  This is pure Neil Gaiman and is a lot of fun.  A great read for kids who like humor.  Reluctant readers will like that it is short with a lot of white space and illustrations.