Finding the Way

Rating:
Summary: "Finding the Way" finds its Way!
Review: Finding the Way captures the reader at the forward dedication and continues on the first page till the end. You feel and hear Cally immediately by the length of the sentences and strength of the feelings contained within. This story told from a 13 year old's point of view tells of the resilience of children in an imperfect family situation not of their doing, who do their best to find their way at home as well as in the outside world. Time seems to stand still for them, but life goes on about them.
Barbara E. Irgens has captured the feelings and tone in her wonderfully developed characters of the 4 children, ages 7- 13. These days when children's lives do not evolve around a rather dated but traditional image of father/mother parenting, sheltering, and protecting, Finding the Way gives voice to many feelings that children have because they are children and because they have no choice but to go on the clues presented by the adults in their lives.
This is a wonderful middle school chapter book for 6th, 7th grade, and 8th grade levels. The discussion and creative writing opportunities abound in every chapter. Although the characters are Irish, the emotions and situations are universal. As an educator I think it also points out the importance of the public school, as THE bright spot of the day in many children's lives, and how important is our job of educating with consistent love, respect, and compassion.
I highly recommend Finding the Way and give it top honors as a first novel offering.
...

Rating:
Summary: "Finding the Way" finds its Way!
Review: Finding the Way captures the reader at the forward dedication and continues on the first page till the end. You feel and hear Cally immediately by the length of the sentences and strength of the feelings contained within. This story told from a 13 year old's point of view tells of the resilience of children in an imperfect family situation not of their doing, who do their best to find their way at home as well as in the outside world. Time seems to stand still for them, but life goes on about them.
Barbara E. Irgens has captured the feelings and tone in her wonderfully developed characters of the 4 children, ages 7- 13. These days when children's lives do not evolve around a rather dated but traditional image of father/mother parenting, sheltering, and protecting, Finding the Way gives voice to many feelings that children have because they are children and because they have no choice but to go on the clues presented by the adults in their lives.
This is a wonderful middle school chapter book for 6th, 7th grade, and 8th grade levels. The discussion and creative writing opportunities abound in every chapter. Although the characters are Irish, the emotions and situations are universal. As an educator I think it also points out the importance of the public school, as THE bright spot of the day in many children's lives, and how important is our job of educating with consistent love, respect, and compassion.
I highly recommend Finding the Way and give it top honors as a first novel offering.
...