SWON Libraries

By Joyce Sweeney (Fiction)

$16.99 (Hardback), 177 pages

Illustrator: Neil Babra

Series: Perfect Fire

Publisher: Henry Holt Books For Young Readers (2009)

ISBN: 9780805080193

Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11

Use: Recreation

Format: Chapter

Genres: Adventure, Coming of Age, Family, Realistic

Literary Merit: Very Good

Characterization: Very Good

Recommendation: Recommended

Level: Mature Reader

Summary:

Casey - A foster child is put into a home where the only person who is nice to him dies. At the funeral, he sees his "Guardian". The next night he starts to pray for money one night and for his sister the next night, and his prayers are answered. His luck from that point changes for the better for a short time. Then his father kidnaps him and he learns about his mother. A while later he runs away and his father is arrested. Cory - It's about a boy whose mom didn't want him so she put him through an orphanage. He goes to a couple different families before he finally stays at one house where his stepmother, Stephanie, is mean to him. He gets a job to get on her good side then he calls for help. His dad comes and takes him away and they went on the run.

Evaluation:

Casey - I really loved the book. I do think that maybe I would have liked a few more "big" words. But in the end, it was a great book and, if there is a sequel, I would read it. I rate this book Excellent Literary Merit and Good Characterization. Cory - This is a very good book and it should be recommended for mature readers only for some language and suggestive themes. I say it would be suitable for 9th grade through College. It has good sentence structure and also keeps the reader entertained and on the edge of their seat. I rate this book Very Good Literary Merit and Excellent Characterization and High Recommend it for Mature Readers.