1993 - Missing May

Dates read: March 2008
Read or listened to: Listened to
Pages: 112 pp. (with illustrations)
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Missing May is the story of young Summer who was taken in by relatives after the death of her parents and subsequent shuffling around by other (uncommitted) relatives. When Aunt May dies, Summer is convinced that her life that had finally become secure and happy was returning to her former life of emptiness and not belonging. Although she still has her Uncle Ob, his grief is so consuming that they cannot continue in their once happy relationship until they both come to grips with their loss.

This short book was a good study of grief, but to be honest, I am kind of sick of so many children's books dealing with such sadness and grief. Now I know that "that is just the world we live in". Kids have it rough these days. (You don't need to remind me of that--I am well aware.) When I was on my mission, I had a great companion that had really experienced some refiner's fires in her life. One day after hearing her experiences (with her amazing attitude), I commented that it really wasn't fair that I had lived a life of such relative ease. She reminded me that our investigators needed my story as well--they needed to see that the goal is to have kids raised in the church in happy and gospel-centered lives. Now, my life has not been perfect and I have had trials, but I think that I am just in the mood for a book that reminds kids that not all parents and siblings die tragic and untimely deaths, that home and family life can be filled with love and enjoyment. And I don't think that these books need to be completely glossy and ignore the bumps of life.

The book wasn't that bad though. I thought that Cletus, Summer's friend (term used loosely at the beginning) from school was fabulous. He was quirky and a real lifesaver for both Summer and Ob.