Monday, November 28, 2011

Polak, Monique. Miracleville.


Polak, Monique.    Miracleville.      
Orca  2011  246p  12.95 978-1-55469-330-6 
ms/hs  Realistic Fiction       VG-BN 

The summer that Ani’s mother has a terrible
accident is the same summer that Ani learns a lot more about her family than she
ever dreamed of.  This is an involving coming-of-age novel for girls who love
realistic fiction.  Ani and her younger sister Colette live with their parents
in a small Quebequois village that is steeped in religion, as is the family. 
All of the characters are very skillfully drawn, and each one of them faces
personal challenges and struggles that are very realistically portrayed.  The
book will encourage students to think ceeply about issues that many other books
treat more superficially ... for example, sibling loyalty in the face of sibling
rivalry, young love and its risks, friendship and betrayal.  While religion
plays a strong part in the story, it is presented in a very open-ended, broad
way that will speak to all readers, whether they are religious or not. 
      Kennedy, Carol

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