Genre

General Fiction / Slice of Life

Audience

12 and Up

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2012

Themes

Adoption, Foster Care, Farm life, childhood, childhood trauma, child abuse, family, charity, generosity

 

Reviewed by

A.R.K. Watson

The only thing Benedict remembers is a life of being shuttled from one abusive foster family to the next. So, when he is sent to Sunshine Ranch, he is sure this good thing cannot last.  Gradually, he is drawn into the lives of his foster parents and his nine foster brothers and sisters, each with their own history of loss, abuse and trauma. Despite the hurdles that come their way, the children bond and begin to heal from their experiences through the love of family.

Full of feel-good moments and character-focused side plots, this is a delightful slice-of-life story set on an idyllic horse ranch. Fans of Anne of Green Gables or the DC movie, Shazam will find much to love in this book. This is a character-driven story that jumps among the points of view of different foster kids at the ranch. The prologue and epilogue of the story follow the adult Benedict as he is reflecting on his life on the ranch and coming to terms with his past to decide the sort of adult he wants to become.

Though the children have all experienced various forms of trauma such as neglect, parents with addictions and even physical abuse—those experiences never become so graphic that the book becomes inappropriate for readers as young as 13. The main focus is about how these children learn to open up to unconditional love when it is offered to them—a lesson even adults struggle with. The book is also a great pick if you want to read books with a racially diverse cast, although the different issues each child deals with because of their different backgrounds is never explored in depth. The main focus is on each child’s individual growth and healing.

This story is beautiful and inspiring without becoming a lifetime drama, though there are a few moments of that too. Gaouette doesn’t flinch from the hard aspects of life these children have had to endure, but the main theme of the book is how sometimes the scariest thing is accepting that good things can happen too. There is Tommie, who avoids unwanted attention by hiding herself under baggy clothes and piercings, Sebastian, the oldest, afraid that growing up means he’ll have the leave the home he’s finally found. There is Eva who mothers everyone because she was never given the chance to be the child in an alcoholic household, fearful Isabella who wrestles with anxiety and the new boy Micah who lives with a debilitating heart condition, lost parents and grandparents but not his strong faith. There are also a whole pack of toddlers in the house. Micah and Benedict’s relationship is especially interesting because at first Benedict frustrated by how much loss Micah has endured and yet he still believes in God. With patience and forgiveness, Micah gradually wears down Benedict’s defenses until the two become close brothers.

Though the family regularly attends mass, the Catholic themes and motifs of this story are more of the universal Christian values-kind, making this a good read to share with your Protestant friends. The only flaw is that the pacing lags a bit, and when the family is at risk of losing their home, the solution seems to come out of nowhere. But if you take this as a slice of life story with the pacing of a book like Anne of Green Gables, you’ll not be disappointed. It means something when I—as an often-jaded cynic—tell you that this book will leave you with the best of warm fuzzy feelings.

Get Catholic Books & eBooks for as little as $1 to FREE

Bullet Proof Vestments by Jane Lebak

Fr. Jay left his criminal past behind him, but it’s coming back for vengeance and it might take his parish down with him.

The Poppy and The Rose by Ashlee Cowles

While abroad in England, Taylor discovers a mystery linking her to an heiress and passenger aboard The Titanic.

Will Wilder and the Relic of Perilous Falls

Follow Will Wilder as he discovers a hidden world, fights demons and rescues a hidden treasure!

The Rescue Sisters Series Adventures by Karina Fabian

Kickass Catholic Nuns in Space- what more do you need?!

Rachel’s Contrition by Michelle Buckman

After the loss of her child, Rachel goes insane but she must pull her mind back together to solve a murder and save her own life.

The Phantom Phoenix

A humble phoenix rises from the ashes to clean up corrupt, 1920s Chicago in this thrilling superhero comic

Bread from Home by Fr. Stephen Siniari

We all hunger for the same food from heaven. A collection of short stories exploring an Albanian Orthodox church community, their Catholic and Evangelical neighbors, and the hunger for heaven that unites them all.

If Wishes Were Dragons By Karina Fabian

What happens when LARPing becomes a lot more real than a group of D&D players can handle?

Relic of His Heart by Jane Lebak

An atheist midwife has no idea what she’s in for when she makes a deal with an angel.

The Tale of Patrick Peyton

How a humble, Irish immigrant brought Mary to Hollywood and then the World.

Revelation by Flannery O’Connor

Flannery O’Connor takes us into the mental experience of one of those people Jesus condemned.

Earthquake Weather by Kevin Rush

The mist that settles over San Francisco hides the ugly parts of her world. Can Kristine find the courage to see with unclouded eyes?

Why Reading Fiction Made Me a Better Catholic

How reading fiction became a crucial step in my conversion to the Catholic Church.

Best of 2020

Yes some good things DID happen this year- Catholic creators have not let turmoil stop their mission.

God’s Sparrows By Kathleen Vincenz

Rose didn’t expect to babysit six children, but God had other plans.

Aurora and God by G.M.J.

After her boyfriend’s death, can Aurora forgive God?

A Good Girl by Johnnie Bernhard

When an old man dies his daughter must trace her family tree to find the ability to forgive him.

My Son, The Father by Jim Moore

The story of a young priest through the eyes of his father and friends.

Saving Mt. Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers

John’s summer plans are ruined when he is recruited to a top-secret crime-fighting school, St. Michael’s Academy.