Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Audio Publisher: Listening Library, Pub Date: January 10, 2012
Release Date: January 1, 2012
Format: Audio
Pages: 304 (Hardcover) / Listening Length: 7 hours, 28 minutes
Source: Sync YA via Overdrive
Genre: YA Fiction / Christian Fiction
Review Date: June 28, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Technically this is a YA fiction book, but probably should be classify as a Young Adult Christian fiction book. I was not expecting that because neither the book description nor any of the genres that this book was placed on goodreads.com gave any indication. I don't have an issue reading religious books, but I like to know what I'm getting into before I begin. I listed to this on audio over several days. It was entertaining and the story was light enough that I could listen and do other tasks. I picked up a free audio download courtesy of Sync YA via Overdrive.
In El Paso Texas two sisters Kate & Mary Romero, 18 and 16 respectively, lives change drastically after this Pastor father dies. After their father passes they really only have each other. Thier mother has been in a persistant vegetative state for some years and requires a nurse to help care for her.
Audio Publisher: Listening Library, Pub Date: January 10, 2012
Release Date: January 1, 2012
Format: Audio
Pages: 304 (Hardcover) / Listening Length: 7 hours, 28 minutes
Source: Sync YA via Overdrive
Genre: YA Fiction / Christian Fiction
Review Date: June 28, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Technically this is a YA fiction book, but probably should be classify as a Young Adult Christian fiction book. I was not expecting that because neither the book description nor any of the genres that this book was placed on goodreads.com gave any indication. I don't have an issue reading religious books, but I like to know what I'm getting into before I begin. I listed to this on audio over several days. It was entertaining and the story was light enough that I could listen and do other tasks. I picked up a free audio download courtesy of Sync YA via Overdrive.
In El Paso Texas two sisters Kate & Mary Romero, 18 and 16 respectively, lives change drastically after this Pastor father dies. After their father passes they really only have each other. Thier mother has been in a persistant vegetative state for some years and requires a nurse to help care for her.
Both sisters are extremely sheltered. They don't know how to drive, don't have cell phones, have old clothes. I'm was shocked that Kate even was allowed to have a job! They were raised very different than the average child. Even their father didn't drive. In a lot of ways the girls are naive and ill prepared for the road that lies ahead. It was sad to learn that they were taught that having ambition is bad and one should basically be a martyr. It's very unfortunate for girls to be taught this.
Yes, Mary has her faith which helps her keep a level head, but Kate struggles with her faith. There were lessons they needed to be learned and some hard decisions that needed to be made. All the situations were discussed with grace and without being overly preachy. They had to deal with the state of their mother, being forced out of their home owned by the church, issues with insurance money, an seemingly despondent aunt, Kate's college situation and Mary's guardianship. On top of all those external situations, they had to come to terms with their own personal issues and growth.
With their friends and some advice from sounds sources, Kate and Mary navigate their way through becoming independent young women and learning how to communicate and trust each other. In the end, all worked out of course, but it was a rocky road getting there. I was happy to hear that both Kate and Mary got not only what they needed but what they wanted also. All in all, the book was good. I'd give it a chance if you're looking for something quick and easy.
Because this was audio, I must speak on the narrator's voice. I personally think they could have selected a better reader, her voice is so child like. At first I thought I was listening to a MD (Middle Grade) book, I almost cut it off after 15 minutes. But then I realized the story was a little bit older, so I hung in there. Listening to the narrators voice improved, but maybe that is only because I got used to it. It would have been nice to have a more mature sounding reader or to possibly have two different readers. One for Mary and one for Kate.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
Yes, Mary has her faith which helps her keep a level head, but Kate struggles with her faith. There were lessons they needed to be learned and some hard decisions that needed to be made. All the situations were discussed with grace and without being overly preachy. They had to deal with the state of their mother, being forced out of their home owned by the church, issues with insurance money, an seemingly despondent aunt, Kate's college situation and Mary's guardianship. On top of all those external situations, they had to come to terms with their own personal issues and growth.
With their friends and some advice from sounds sources, Kate and Mary navigate their way through becoming independent young women and learning how to communicate and trust each other. In the end, all worked out of course, but it was a rocky road getting there. I was happy to hear that both Kate and Mary got not only what they needed but what they wanted also. All in all, the book was good. I'd give it a chance if you're looking for something quick and easy.
Because this was audio, I must speak on the narrator's voice. I personally think they could have selected a better reader, her voice is so child like. At first I thought I was listening to a MD (Middle Grade) book, I almost cut it off after 15 minutes. But then I realized the story was a little bit older, so I hung in there. Listening to the narrators voice improved, but maybe that is only because I got used to it. It would have been nice to have a more mature sounding reader or to possibly have two different readers. One for Mary and one for Kate.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
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