The man who loved clowns / June Rae Wood.

Title: The man who loved clowns.
Author: Wood, June Rae.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's


CIP
Thirteen-year-old Delrita, whose unhappy life has caused her to hide from the world, loves her uncle Punky but sometimes feels ashamed of his behavior because he has Down’s syndrome.

Comments
This was suggested to me by a patron. I am glad she did. It was a fast read, but it was emotionally hard to take. Apparently I was on a string of those. It takes place in Missouri, so I was impressed that I was ready to read about a place I don’t particularly like. Delrita is very protective of her brother and has a hard time accepting that society had changed enough to let him shine. It isn’t a new book, but it is worth a read. The message is timeless and uplifting.

Burned by Hopkins, Ellen

Burned by Hopkins, Ellen.
Title: Burned.
Author: Hopkins, Ellen.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's

Comments

CIP
Seventeen-year-old Pattyn, the eldest daughter in a large Mormon family, is sent to her aunt’s Nevada ranch for the summer where she temporarily escapes her alcoholic, abusive father and finds acceptance, only to lose everything when she returns home.

As most of you know I read a lot of young adult literature. I read this author’s first book, Crank a few years ago and thought I would give her another try.

This book is told in verse, which can make it a challenge. On the upside, you can always feel like you are making great headway because the pages are short. I found it to be an emotionally draining book. Pattyn’s highs and lows through out the book at times were hard to read.

Like many other books I am glad I read it but it was a difficult challenge.