Erskine, Kathryn. Quaking.

ERSKINE, Kathryn. Quaking. Penguin, Philomel. 256p. c2007 978-0-399-24774-3. $16.99. JS

Matilda has survived a traumatic childhood. She witnessed the death of her mother at the hands of an abusive father and since has been moved from relative to relative. She is paralyzed by violence and suspicious of people. Matt, as she prefers to be called, is emotionally distant and as she is being sent to live with the second cousin of her third cousin, she knows that there is little place else for her to go. But Sam and Jessica are Quakers who take in another foster child who is developmentally delayed. Matt senses that this is not going to work out, but does what she can to do what is expected at home and at school. However, her high school social studies teacher is on a one-man crusade to make students aware of the necessity for the war in the Middle East. Given her trauma, Matt relates more to the victims, the women and children caught in the crossfire of war. Going with Sam to Quaker Meetings, she hears the call for peace and knows about his refusal to enter into combat. Things reach a climax when local churches are vandalized for their anti-war views, and Matt is targeted by the teacher and a student who uses the teacher's opinion to his own advantage. In the end, Matt finds the courage to speak out for herself and for her foster family. The novel gives a balanced look at the ramifications of violent actions, both on a personal and a national level. Students will find much to talk about in terms of how cultures can promote tolerance and strive for peace. Janis Flint-Ferguson, Assoc. Prof., English, Gordon College, Wenham, MA

J--Recommended for junior high students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.