Horrocks, Anita. Almost Eden.HORROCKS, Anita. Almost Eden. Tundra. 284p. c2006. 0-88776-742-7. $9.95. JS In times of trouble many of us have tried wishful thinking wishful thinking Psychology Dereitic thought that a thing or event should have a specified outcome and bargaining with God. Twelve-year-old Elsie is no different in trying to make deals. Her life has just been tilted on its side by her mother's entry into a mental hospital called, ironically, Eden in order to treat her severe depression. Elsie rides her bike without holding on to the handlebars as far as she can, telling herself that each block that she succeeds in not using her hands means she can make bigger and bigger wishes that will make everything better. Elsie carries a lot of guilt, feeling in some incongruous in·con·gru·ous adj. 1. Lacking in harmony; incompatible: a joke that was incongruous with polite conversation. 2. way responsible for her mother's sickness. If only she had been a better daughter; so she tries as hard as she possibly can to be the perfect daughter now. Elsie prays to God, vital to her Mennonite town, asking for her mother to come home in exchange for Elsie's good behavior Orderly and lawful action; conduct that is deemed proper for a peaceful and law-abiding individual. The definition of good behavior depends upon how the phrase is used. and sacrifices. As she continues to bargain with God, things worsen in her relationships, not only with her mother, but with other family members, her friends, and boys. Angry that things are just getting worse, Elsie renounces her faith in God. It takes a treacherous situation to act as a catalyst that ultimately helps Elsie, who is desperately trying to make sense of the big picture. Author of Topher, Breath of a Ghost, and What They Don't Know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. , Horrocks's story is a fictionalized retelling re·tell·ing n. A new account or an adaptation of a story: a retelling of a Roman myth. of growing up in a small Mennonite community. It is about hard times, tough questions, wavering of faith, and finally reaffirmation. Krista Bush, Ref. Libn., Univ. of New Haven New Haven, city (1990 pop. 130,474), New Haven co., S Conn., a port of entry where the Quinnipiac and other small rivers enter Long Island Sound; inc. 1784. Firearms and ammunition, clocks and watches, tools, rubber and paper products, and textiles are among the many , CT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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