This book -- its characters, their thoughts, their daily concerns and ways of life -- spoke to me with a familiarity I didn't know I missed so much. Mr. House captures in the most delicate ways so many of the memories of my childhood. The joy gleaned from listening to records for hours on end, my mother smoking Winston cigarettes, drinking cold, sweet tea from a jelly jar. He remembers the things I have forgotten. I loved hearing the familiar pronunciations as I listened to him read via audiobook. This book was excellent. The author did a nice job of placing the reader in the world of the ten-year-old boy Eli. With his dad experiencing post traumatic stress disorder, a rebellious teenage sister, a war protesting aunt, and a mom who tried to make everything be right with the world, there was a lot going on in this young boy's life. However, the author managed to make everything seem slow and unfolding in a simple, flowing manner. The writing itself was beautiful. I checked the book out of an elementary library from a school I work in, but I strongly believe the subject matter is better suited to YA than MG. I know with a ten year old main character, that might sound strange, but that's my opinion.
What do You think about Eli The Good (2009)?
I have a new book to add to my top 10 all-time favorites.
—LayDee
