Probably 3rd grade and up, simple language, lots of white space on each page. High interest. Jake’s 88-year old grandfather Billy lives on the family farm with Jake’s family. Billy’s memory is clearly fading (at least to the adult reader) but gently and kindly and Jake is comfortable with his grandfather’s lapses. Each summer day Billy and Jake walk the farm, saying hello to the animals and remembering the old days. Billy especially misses the old sod house he grew up in. Billy gets sick and Jake decides to build him a sod house near where the original one stood. With the whole family helping, they manage to get it done while Billy is in the hospital. When Billy sees it, his soul is content. With his dog Lucy, Billy spends most of his days in his sod house and eventually dies there. Jake is upset at his grandfather’s death but his big brother puts it neatly: “I build the sod house to Billy would get better and stay,” I say to Lida. “Remember?” Lida nods. “But what you really did was give him the place he wanted so he could leave,” Jesse says. Jake lives in a house that belonged to his grandparents before his parents took over the farm. Billy, his grandfather lives with them. He was born on the same land, in a sod house. The sod house doesn't exist anymore, except for a piece of a corner wall. But Billy has hopes of rebuilding the house with Jake's help. He hopes it will be a bonding experience.Before they can start on the sod house, before Jake decides he really wants to do this with his grandfather, Billy becomes very ill. While he's in the hospital, Jake and 2 of his siblings decide to build the house for him as a surprise. And what a surprise it is.
What do You think about Kindred Souls (2012)?
Great story for kids on how to deal with loss, and the power of a loving animal
—Razzie
One of the best J-level books I've read dealing with death. Excellent read.
—bubblepoppx
A touching story about an extended family by one of my favorite authors.
—tia
