Ya know when you watch one of those movies that you really have to pay attention to? The movie is enjoyable -- but you really have to work at it. That is what this book reminds me of. I had to pay attention. Perhaps it was just the author's style.I'm thinking that novels written by Australian authors have just a different feel to them. Right away this book reminded me of Stolen by Lucy Christopher. But I haven't read a ton of Australian authors to prove this point. This book is worth the work -- stick with it, and enjoy! Millard, Glenda. (2010). A Small Free Kiss in the Dark. New York: Holiday House. 180 pp. ISBN 978-0-8234-2264-7 (Hard Cover); $16.95.War is hard. For Skip, living on the streets, war should be death. However, an older man, Billy, moves Skip and a very young boy, Max, to an abandoned amusement park to outlast the war.The dichotomy between an amusement park and bombs serves as a rich foundation for reading a story about war and family. Skip’s dumpster explodes one day and he is thrust into the path of Billy, a wily and homeless man. Billy helps Skip avoid the bombs and then takes in a very young orphan, Max. Once they reach the amusement park, they adopt Mia, a teen mother who has a different definition of survival. I love that this war is not named, which allows readers to envision details of wars they know about, study in school, or see in the media. While Mia engages in behavior that is, perhaps, not suitable for younger students, the descriptions are in the background, which makes this book perfectly suitable for middle school students who may see military recruiters in their community. Mia forces Skip to think about our actions and what they say about our humanity in the face of a conflict so un-amusing that we sometimes need to force ourselves to find the humor and beauty in life despite our circumstances. The description of Billy from Skip’s perspective is nicely balanced by the reader’s more complete understanding that Billy is terrified and far from perfect. Another notable element to this book is its understanding of the power of art, both visual art and performance art. The outsider art element to this book is especially unique and important and interesting. Another plus for this book is its FABULOUS cover.
What do You think about Gratis Kyss I Mørket (2011)?
It was a wonderful story, as bright and unique as the embers on the cover. WOW!
—BookScout2012
