Official Review: SandPeople by Cheryl Kerr

[mrlefty0706]

“SandPeople” by Cheryl Kerr is a story about a 12-year-old named Lea whose parents announced they are separating for the summer and they decided that Lea was going to live with her aunt in Texas while her brother will go to live with their grandmother. Lea is reluctant to leave her best friend Laura and go from Virginia to Texas for the summer. This is a coming-of-age story that provides history, mystery and a few ghost sightings. The story is focused on Lea and her growth from childhood to young adulthood and her transformation. This book is ideal for young teens but parents will also enjoy it because they can learn more about middle-grade children and this should help them interact with their young children. What happens to the parent’s relationship is not part of the book because it is only focused on what a 12-year-old experiences in a new environment with an aunt she did not know and the new friends and mysteries they experienced in Texas. This is an amazing book and readers should enjoy the ghost sightings in Texas. Young teens should really enjoy this book. Having raised two daughters after my divorce when they were ages 6 and 7 was an eye-opening experience. My ex-wife and I focused on what was best for the girls and we had a very amicable divorce. Having had joint custody, I saw my daughters on Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other weekend and whenever I wanted them for Indian Princess and Y-US Girl meetings and campouts, and one vacation a year out of country. I truly spent time with my daughters more than 50% of the time and their mom lives 1 mile from my home. Not the same as seeing them every day of their childhood and teen years but with the opportunity to ask for them whenever I wanted was wonderful. I could empathize with Lea having to leave her home and friends in Virginia to live the summer with her aunt in Texas. Unfortunately, she did not know her aunt, so this created an issue until she was comfortable with her aunt and she made new friends in Texas. This was a journey with some mysteries and ghost sightings that made the experience very exciting for Lea. I am glad the story did not focus on the parent’s separation since the story was about Lea and while a reconciliation between her parents might be good, Lea’s concern about her parents arguing on a regular basis indicates the separation was warranted and the parents did what they thought would be best for Lea and her brother. An excellent book with a very good review.

[Lene Lena]

Thank you for your thoughtful review of “SandPeople: An Across Time Mystery.” Glad you appreciated Lea’s journey and the focus on her personal growth amidst challenging circumstances. Cheryl Kerr’s blend of history and mystery adds depth, making it a relatable read for upper middle-grade audiences.

[Lystra Jonna Hagan]

The book is interesting and simple, Lea will find it hard to cope with her new life. It's hard to watch your family crumble after years of happiness and joy. I feel for Lea

[Hassane Sadek]

Official Review – sandpeople

By Hassane Sadek

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reading this book was an emotional experience. From the very first page, I was drawn into two seemingly different lives—Greta, a young girl on a fragile wooden ship braving the ocean, and Lea, a teenager in the late 1990s dealing with school, family tension, and childhood friendships. At first, I wasn’t sure how these two timelines would connect, but I found myself caring about both girls and eager to discover where the story would take them.

Greta’s chapters felt heavy with emotion. Her fear, homesickness, and vivid memories of Alsace painted a powerful picture of a young girl forced into something far beyond her control. I could almost feel the cold, damp wood of the ship and hear the creaking around her. It reminded me how terrifying change and the unknown can be—especially for a child.

Lea’s world was more familiar to me: homework, younger siblings being annoying, parents fighting downstairs… But what made her story stand out was the quiet strength in her character. Despite the chaos in her house, she finds peace in small things—like the way the light hits her room or the secret tree she shares with her best friend. These little details made her feel very real to me.

What I appreciated most was the writing style. It’s calm, reflective, and rich in sensory detail. You don’t just read the scenes—you feel them. The author has a gift for immersing readers in time and place without rushing the plot. Instead, the story invites you to slow down and feel everything with the characters.

If I had one small critique, it would be that the pacing at the beginning is a bit slow. Some readers might find themselves wanting the story to move faster. But in my case, I enjoyed the calm, steady rhythm—it gave me time to bond with the characters.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but it’s thoughtful, emotional, and beautifully written. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories, historical fiction, or quiet tales that stay with you long after you finish reading