February 1, 2011

Book Talk: Umbrella Summer

Annie is very cautious.  She walks her bike down the big hill on sycamore, she wears her bike helmet in the car and she doesn't eat hot dogs, for fear of food poisoning.  Her favorite book is a medical book that she uses to diagnose diseases she may have.  Annie has to be careful- you never know when something might happen- you might look fine one minute and be dead the next.  That's what happened to her big brother Jared.  He was fine one minute- playing hockey with his team... and then he got hit in the chest with a hockey puck.  The doctors said he was fine, but he wasn't.  Jared died even though everyone thought he was going to be just fine.  Now, Annie is careful, just in case.  
Being careful has been exhausting for Annie.  She doesn't do the things she use to love- like rollerskate, or swim or do obstacle courses with her friends.  Instead, she reads her medical book and puts on bandaids.  Annie's parents think she is overreacting, telling her that nothing is going to happen to her- but they didn't think anything was going to happen to Jared.  Annie's dad doesn't pay any attention to her anymore, and her mom never talks about Jared- she hasn't even gone in Jared's room since the night he died.  And to make matters worse, everyone gives her the "dead brother look", everyone that is, except the lady that moves in across the street.  Mrs. Finch doesn't give Annie the "dead brother look", but instead gives her a chance to talk about her feelings and how much she misses her brother.  Mrs. Finch helps Annie realize that being careful is how she is protecting herself (her umbrella, so to speak).  As long as she is worried about what MIGHT happen, she doesn't allow herself to think about what did happen, and how much she misses her brother.  Mrs. Finch knows this, because she is dealing with the recent loss of her husband.  Together, Annie and Mrs. Finch find ways to step out into the sunshine and enjoy life again- and to celebrate the lives of people they loved so very much. Umbrella Summer deals with grief and loss in such a real way, that it brought me to tears.  I haven't cried as much reading a book since I read Bridge to Terabithia.  To watch Annie suffer such loss, come to terms with that loss and celebrate the life of her brother was so real and so sincere, that I couldn't help but feel connected to her- what she felt, I felt.  This book is in the running for next year's Iowa Children's Choice Award- look out, we may have a winner right here!  (Kelly Butcher 2011)
*The character of Annie was inspired by Lisa Graff's experiences as a child- her brother was very ill as a child, and Lisa was worried about him- and about herself.  (Her brother recovered and was just fine!)
Book cover from LisaGraff.com

7 comments:

  1. I loved this book. This is a great story. I cried and laughed!

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  2. i read this book acctually nice description of what u think about the book

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  3. I heard this book is so sad.

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    1. only in the begining when it says how he died but later it gets kind of funny

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  4. im almost done reading this book and its really cool. Its so realistic, it makes you want to go and help Annie with her problems.

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    1. do you like the part were she steals the book from Mrs.Harper? the book is call the guide the prevent illness.

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