Synopsis
Edith, a young epileptic, must learn to cope with her illness while, at the same time, trying to come to terms with her loneliness, fear, and unhappiness
Reviews
Grade 4-6 After the death of their widowed mother, Edith's older brothers and sister decide that they can manage the farm themselves. But Edith, the youngest, makes her home with her married sister, Alena; her husband, John; Vernon, their son; and baby Lettie. Soon the household is disrupted by Edith's ``fits.'' Edith must come to terms with her problem and her new life. Set in the 1890s before epilepsy was controlled and understood, this story is told warmly and well. It provides what so many current stories that deal with disability fail to providea focus on the child rather than the disability. Edith comes to terms, not with her disability, but rather with her new life and her own maturing, of which the disability is only a part. The other characters provide a realistic view of people struggling to deal with a disability, all in their own way. Overprotective Alena is balanced by John's practicality. Vernon is rather proud of Edith's fits, and while some children taunt her, others defend her. The religiosity of the grandmother, who blames Edith's seizures on her ``laying up of treasures,'' provides another realistic dimension to this story. Beautifully written, this is a tale to take its place beside those of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Constance A. Mellon, Department of Library & Information Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
As in Howard's recent Gillyflower, the protagonist here is a young girl who thinks she alone is responsible for her problem. In the earlier book, it was sexual abuse; in this one, epilepsy. And because Edith lives in the 1890s, her "fits" are especially frightening to her and to those who witness them. When her mother dies, Edith goes to live with a married sister. She tries to cure her fits by putting away beloved possessions, fearing that coveting them is the cause for her blackouts. Forced by her brother-in-law to attend school, Edith worries that she'll have an attack in front of classmates. When it happens, Edith learns that those who don't understand her illness can still be compassionate and that her bravery earns respect. Howard's writing here doesn't have as much emotional impact as the heart-wrenching Gillyflower, but since epilepsy remains a somewhat fearful subject, this book could inspire important discussion. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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