Thomson, John. A Small Boat at the Bottom of the Sea.THOMSON, John. A small boat at the bottom of the sea. Milkweed milkweed, common name for members of the Asclepiadaceae, a family of mostly perennial herbs and shrubs characterized by milky sap, a tuft of silky hairs attached to the seed (for wind distribution), and (usually) a climbing habit. . 148p. c2005. 157131-656-6. $6.95. JS Donovan has been sent to live with his Uncle Bix and his Aunt Hattie for the summer, and is quite unhappy. His father and his Uncle Bix have had problems in the past due to Uncle Bix's having been in prison. They have not been close, and Donovan cannot understand why he has to go. Aunt Hattie is ill with lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. , and Donovan is uncomfortable at first with both his aunt and uncle. Soon though, Donovan gets into their way of life, and he is especially intrigued when his uncle, a mechanical genius who can fix just about anything, gets Donovan to help him raise a wrecked, sunken sunk·en v. Obsolete A past participle of sink. adj. 1. Depressed, fallen in, or hollowed: sunken cheeks. 2. boat from its watery wa·ter·y adj. 1. Filled with, consisting of, or soaked with water; wet or soggy. 2. Secreting or discharging water or watery fluid, especially as a symptom of disease. bed. When Donovan realizes that his uncle really needs him to help with the boat, he feels much better about being there. The two work on restoring the boat, and learn to relate to each other in good ways. Aunt Hattie's condition, however, is worsening wors·en tr. & intr.v. wors·ened, wors·en·ing, wors·ens To make or become worse. Noun 1. worsening - process of changing to an inferior state decline in quality, deterioration, declension , and Donovan must deal with knowing that he and Uncle Bix are going to lose her. Another disturbing element is that Donovan suspects his uncle is a racist. By the story's end, Donovan has learned about himself, about family relationships, and especially, that things are not always the way they seem. This is an excellent coming-of-age novel, and should be in every YA library. Nancy Chrismer, Libn., Juniata HS, Mifflintown, PA |
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