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The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: June 2, 2014
Review
Walton's writing pulls readers into this brutal yet whimsical story of three generations of mothers & daughters who love and endure pain. Although the narrator is Ava, a 16 year old born with wings, who is finding her place in life, the story leads into the far reaching past and a compilation of the peculiarities and deep scars that each member of Ava's intergenerational family endures. Their sorrows and the unconventional ways that they cope with neglect and loneliness are interwoven into the present and future of Ava and her brother who has some type of autism disorder. Ava's ability to break out of the walls that her family has built around their lives provides her both freedom and places her in physical danger.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Walton, Leslye
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 10-12
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780763665661
Price: 17.99