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Now
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Book Jacket Art: ©2001 John Martin ISBN: 0-8126-2890-X Cricket Books-Sept 2001 Starred Review: Publisher's Weekly New York Public Library's 2002 Books for Teen Age List Scorpio's Child is the story of fourteen-year-old Afton Dupree's growing
awareness of her mother's painful inner life of secrets and loss. In 1947
South Carolina, still grieving for her brother Francis killed in the war, Afton
comes home from the last day of school to find a visitor; an uncle she never knew
she had. He may be a war veteran--or he may not. But his presence is
unsettling and sets off a string of events that turns Afton's life upside down
as she finally comes face to face with her mother's secrets and the price paid
for keeping them.
Reviews Sampler: PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY (Starred Review): Matthews's stirring novel at once captures the period nuances of life in post-WWII South Carolina and limns a timeless portrait of family sorrows and secrets. A hopeful ending caps this gracefully crafted fiction, starring a memorable heroine and a strong supporting cast. BCCB: (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books) Recommended. Each character in the tight ensemble cast pulls its weight, and as much is revealed through dead-on dialogue as through Afton's narrative observations. Matthews negotiates a microcosm of misunderstanding and pain without resorting to undue angst or sensationalism, and readers who bask in the belletristic atmosphere of a steamy Southern summer should find Afton's tale as satisfying as sweet tea and a porch fan. HORN BOOK MAGAZINE: Subtle, complex character developments and a fully evoked Southern postwar setting make this a compelling novel of family and sorrow. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: The mood of the book is like a storm brewing, blowing through town and then clearing the air, a metaphor that the author uses throughout. The resolution comes quickly...(with) a sense of hope that the family will weather the storm and survive. A thoughtful read... BOOKLIST: Well-crafted with characters and setting that become the plot, this is an evocative portrait of a time, a place, and a family exposed. KIRKUS: Matthews lets Afton tell her story in the present tense, vividly bringing to life the climatological and cultural closeness of a small Southern town. Her (Afton's) voice is searingly honest in describing her relationships. Superbly realized voice and atmosphere. ######################################################### © 2001-05 Kezi Matthews. All rights reserved. |
