Review of Strong Heart
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SARAH N 2
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Review of Strong Heart
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
The novel Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon , opens when a family of three, that is Tom, William, and Myra were packing and getting ready to go camping. Their final destination is a place where Tom had burried his grandfather Bob Bob as he used to call him. With a terrible weather outside, there was a knock at the door. A new family member Sarah, was introduced to them by Ruth the ex-wife of Tom as their granddaughter. She was to stay with them the whole Summer. Full of misgivings, Sarah tried to settle in, while Tom on the other hand kept wondering what he was going to with her. He was worried about keeping her from school and also not being her legal guardian. During their hike, Sarah filled them in about some of the aspects of her past life. William also did the same to show her that he had also gone through similar hardships. When Sarah fell into the stream while they were crossing, she decided to call it quits. She, however, was forcefully brought back to camp by Myra. She claimed that it was child abuse to treat her that way, and even threatened to report her grandfather to the state. This was just a reminder to Tom that it had been a bad idea to bring Sarah along. Disappearing from family seems to be part of Sarah's life style because she does it again later, but this time with drastic side effects. Wanting Sarah to understand something about her family's past, Tom told her about the struggles he had had to go through while growing up. He had finally ended up with his grandfather Bob Bob who had died while they were on a camping trip.
One of the positive aspects of this story is that some of the happenings are closely connected to the weather at the time. For example at the beginning, the terrible wind which shook the house is closely followed by Sarah's coming into the household. Tom is equally terribly shaken by the fact that he had a granddaughter who he never knew about before.
On the other hand, I feel that many of the characters face a lot of misery in their lifetime. For example Sarah lost her mother at an early age. Due to her being mischievous, she was sent to a juvenile jail where her suffering continued. William also lost his mother at eight years and his father ran away. He was taken to a school where he was mistreated. Tom also had his share of miseries. For example he was abandoned by his wife, he lost his daughter and out of no where, a granddaughter he never knew about is dumped on him. On a lighter note though, Sarah tried to drown her miseries by always getting out her sketch pad to draw pictures.
I rate this book at 4 out 4. This is because at the beginning the author gives maps to show the reader where exactly the story takes place. And as the story unfolds, the characters are able to give the story of their ancestors following their journeys as indicated on the maps. It was also well edited.
I recommend this book to those types of readers interested in the life of the early American adventurers. Young people will find it an interesting read in regard to Sarah's life.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The novel Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon , opens when a family of three, that is Tom, William, and Myra were packing and getting ready to go camping. Their final destination is a place where Tom had burried his grandfather Bob Bob as he used to call him. With a terrible weather outside, there was a knock at the door. A new family member Sarah, was introduced to them by Ruth the ex-wife of Tom as their granddaughter. She was to stay with them the whole Summer. Full of misgivings, Sarah tried to settle in, while Tom on the other hand kept wondering what he was going to with her. He was worried about keeping her from school and also not being her legal guardian. During their hike, Sarah filled them in about some of the aspects of her past life. William also did the same to show her that he had also gone through similar hardships. When Sarah fell into the stream while they were crossing, she decided to call it quits. She, however, was forcefully brought back to camp by Myra. She claimed that it was child abuse to treat her that way, and even threatened to report her grandfather to the state. This was just a reminder to Tom that it had been a bad idea to bring Sarah along. Disappearing from family seems to be part of Sarah's life style because she does it again later, but this time with drastic side effects. Wanting Sarah to understand something about her family's past, Tom told her about the struggles he had had to go through while growing up. He had finally ended up with his grandfather Bob Bob who had died while they were on a camping trip.
One of the positive aspects of this story is that some of the happenings are closely connected to the weather at the time. For example at the beginning, the terrible wind which shook the house is closely followed by Sarah's coming into the household. Tom is equally terribly shaken by the fact that he had a granddaughter who he never knew about before.
On the other hand, I feel that many of the characters face a lot of misery in their lifetime. For example Sarah lost her mother at an early age. Due to her being mischievous, she was sent to a juvenile jail where her suffering continued. William also lost his mother at eight years and his father ran away. He was taken to a school where he was mistreated. Tom also had his share of miseries. For example he was abandoned by his wife, he lost his daughter and out of no where, a granddaughter he never knew about is dumped on him. On a lighter note though, Sarah tried to drown her miseries by always getting out her sketch pad to draw pictures.
I rate this book at 4 out 4. This is because at the beginning the author gives maps to show the reader where exactly the story takes place. And as the story unfolds, the characters are able to give the story of their ancestors following their journeys as indicated on the maps. It was also well edited.
I recommend this book to those types of readers interested in the life of the early American adventurers. Young people will find it an interesting read in regard to Sarah's life.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman
