From: mroberts <mroberts>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 09:49:46 -0600

Alright--now that the ice has been broken by the mention of an adult coming-of-age title (Book of Fred by Abby Bardi which I also very much enjoyed), I will mention one of my all-time favorite coming-of-age novels, Rumors of Peace by Ella Leffland. I happened upon this book when I was a student at the Univ. of Wisc. Madison Library School and was really struck by it. The voice of the main character (sorry, it has been awhile and I don't have a copy) is very true to the emotions of this particular child maturing during WWII on the California coast--even when the brutal honesty of her observations and her reactions make the reader uncomfortable. I first read this book when I was not yet a parent, and reread it (rare for me) 15 years later as my children are growing. It was a very different read for me and the second time I admired the way the parents were presented--mostly out of the picture, but still there--confused but very supportive with their love. The passionate nature of the main character is a wonderful force propelling this story forward as she matures.
Received on Thu 20 Nov 2003 09:49:46 AM CST