Carefully drawn, compelling main characters, and especially sensitive descriptions of the farm's animals, as well as the natural beauty of the area. The essence of the plot is strong, but the ending is a bit too tidy and predictable. (Another book that benefits in the telling from slow exposition, then tries to sweep everything up into a tidy conclusion in a single sweeping chapter.) The treatment of Glory's grief seems more even-handed and realistic than the tremendous burdens Juniper bears, and she with less experience and wherewithall to bear them. I thought the intensity of what she experienced, and its likely long-term emotional effects, deserved better. While it was encouraging to read a book in which foster parenting plays a critical role, I am not sure that its complexities were fully plumbed. There seemed to be a sense that kids who have been in foster care in their teens -- with all that must lead to that -- will find all their wounds quickly healed by steady, loving foster parents and gentle animals. Surely, that formula has merit, but I suspect it is more complex. The author seems to brush past this complexity.Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it worthwhile, one whose characters I will ponder for a bit, perhaps precisely because I didn't care for the overly tidy conclusions. While waiting for another book "Finding Casey" I found out that it was a sequel to this one so I read it first. Will read the sequel in a few days. I was hoping to give this more than 3 stars and I can't really articulate what bothered me about it but something did. Some of what she wrote rang very true and some just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'm hoping after I read the sequel I can better explain my feelings. Part of what I don't think I liked was some of the dialogue between Juniper and Glory but I haven't been around a somewhat messed up, practically orphaned teenager who has had a lot of trauma in her life, so possibly that is the way she might talk. There were some very funny things; the training of the dogs and horses was just great - I'm not sure how many people can do that but, at least in this book, Glory had the gift and as I read it, I wished I had it.The characters are staying with me so the author obviously did something that appealed to me.Two quotes...Pg. 286 "It's about accepting that the picture you end up with will never be the picture you were trying to take."Pg. 76 "there was hope for any kid that read fiction. A willingness to lose one's self in a story was the first step to learning compassion, to appreciating other cultures, to realizing what possibilities the world held for people who kept at life despite the odds.
What do You think about Solomon's Oak (2010)?
i liked it. the familiar theme of broken people helping each other move forward. positive.
—thanhphan
Loved this book. I listened to the audiobook while I was sewing & quilting.
—strext
I enjoyed this book but it was slow at times. Good book for grief and loss
—_nicoleng
Liked the sequel better. Will look into more by this author though!
—simonaogo
Very good, inspirational story of young troubled girl.
—JustinMunry
