Angels in the Sand by Lori Keating

I'm taking a more serious turn today and picking up a middle grade novel, which addresses a difficult theme: grief at the loss of a loved one. It's been getting great reviews and should take a Christian lean.

So, let's take a peek!

ANGELS IN THE SAND

by Lori Keating

Monarch Educational Services

Middle Grade Contemporary

112 pages

ages 8 to 12

Not long after losing her father, ten-year-old Jess Alexander faces devastating news when her grandmother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jess travels from Florida to Bangor, Maine, to spend one last Christmas with her grandma and complete their shared "must-do" list.

The following Christmas, as Jess reminisces about her grandma, she receives a surprise that makes her wonder if her grandma is still watching over her.

Jess's journey takes her through a spectrum of emotions, forcing her to confront the limits of life and the unyielding power of love.

Content death of father, grandmother; grief, loss

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Wholesome care, warmth, and empathy coat these pages like a hug and leave the reader with a sense of hope.

Ten-year-old Jess and her mother have, finally, snuggled into a good place after the death of the father when the news comes that their last living relative, Grandma, has stage four cancer. Since this is discovered only days before their Christmas vacation to visit her, Jess decides to create a to-do list with all of her and her grandmother's favorite things. This includes tons of snow angels. Despite the amazing attitude grandmother shares, Jess knows what is coming. Plus, the loss of her father still stings, at times.

The author approaches death from a Christian and wholesome point of view to create a gentle and very caring atmosphere. While the sense of loss and grief are, of course, there and Jess does, obviously, feel the weight at the loss of her father...later, her grandmother...the mother or someone else is there for her. And visa-versa. Even the grandmother holds faith close and is like a shining light of goodness. About half-way through the book, the plot shifts a bit to bring in the hope and possibilities life still has in store for the living. This doesn't cancel the grief but demonstrates that wonderful moments are still to come. Plus, the author weaves in the constant reminder of remembering loved ones through an idea that they watch us even though they've passed on.

All of this is told from Jess' point of view and does a lovely job at staying at the middle grade level. The stages of grief are subtly visited and demonstrate how Jess moves through. It's a very positive read through and through and doesn't down-play the grief, either, but rather keeps faith at the forefront and demonstrates how much a treasure true support from others can be.