Synopses & Reviews
Whenever I think of my mother, something fills up inside me like water filling a bucket. It fills me up so much, I'm afraid my feelings will spill over for everyone to see. So I close my eyes and picture the water in the bucket evaporating until nothing is left, not one single drop."
Isabel's mother died praying on her knees. At least that's what Isabel likes to think since no one will talk about the truth. But the truth has a way of revealing itself at night. Ta Ta sleeps curled up on the floor right where Mama's body was found. Olivia wets her bed and wakes repeatedly from nightmares, and Frank starts carving his anger into his bedroom wall. It's up to Isabel to help her family get beyond the pain and loss -- to be the keeper of the night. But who will be there for Isabel and help her through to the other side?
Set on the island of Guam, Kimberly Willis Holt has written a painfully beautiful story about a young girl's struggle to protect her family after her mother's suicide. At once devastating and hopeful, disturbing and reassuringly honest, this outstanding novel settles into the reader's bones and won't be shaken until the truth has finally been spoken.
Review
“Evocative . . . haunting . . . magic.”—
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Beautifully written.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Exquisitely presented . . . stunningly beautiful.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Heart-rending. . . . [Holt] has created an endearing, complicated narrator in Isabel; she manages to sound both lyrical and like the eighth grader she is.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Holts plain, direct prose belies the deep pain the narrator feels as she tries to understand her mothers life and death.”—Bookpage
“Beautifully written, this tale reaches into the heart of Guam and touches gold.”—Seattle Times
“[E]xtended families, unhurried lives, the wisdom of elders, the individual quirks and eccentricities and the deep love holding up the surface of everyday life will all be familiar to readers of Holts previous work.”—Times Picayune
A Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
An Amazon.com Editors Pick
A Parents Choice Gold Award Winner
A School Library Journal Best Book
Review
An ALA "2004 Best Book for Young Adults" An ALA "2004 Notable Children's Book"
A "Kirkus 2003 Editor's Choice"
An Amazon.com "Editor's Pick" title
A Parents' Choice 2003 Gold Award Winner
A School Library Journal "Best Book"
"Evocative" --Publishers Weekly, starred
"Beautifully written" --School Library Journal, starred
"Stunningly beautiful" --Kirkus Reviews, starred
"[H]eart-rending. . . . Kimberly Willis Holt...has created an endearing, complicated narrator in Isabel; she manages to sound both lyrical and like the eighth grader she is." --New York Times Book Review
"Holt's plain, direct prose belies the deep pain the narrator feels as she tries to understand her mother's life and death." --Bookpage
"Beautifully written, this tale reaches into the heart of Guam and touches gold." --Seattle Times
"[E]xtended families, unhurried lives, the wisdom of elders, the individual quirks and eccentricities and the deep love holding up the surface of everyday life will all be familiar to readers of Holt's previous work." --Times Picayune
Review
“Evocative . . . haunting . . . magic.”—
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Beautifully written.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Exquisitely presented . . . stunningly beautiful.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Heart-rending. . . . [Holt] has created an endearing, complicated narrator in Isabel; she manages to sound both lyrical and like the eighth grader she is.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Holts plain, direct prose belies the deep pain the narrator feels as she tries to understand her mothers life and death.”—Bookpage
“Beautifully written, this tale reaches into the heart of Guam and touches gold.”—Seattle Times
“[E]xtended families, unhurried lives, the wisdom of elders, the individual quirks and eccentricities and the deep love holding up the surface of everyday life will all be familiar to readers of Holts previous work.”—Times Picayune
A Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
An Amazon.com Editors Pick
A Parents Choice Gold Award Winner
A School Library Journal Best Book
Synopsis
A powerful new novel from the award-winning author of When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.Isabels mother died peacefully. At least thats what Isabel likes to think since no one will talk about the truth. But the truth has a way of revealing itself at night. Ta`Ta sleeps curled up on the floor right where Mamas body was found. Olivia wets her bed and wakes repeatedly from nightmares, and Frank starts carving his anger into his bedroom wall. Its up to Isabel to help her family get beyond the pain and loss—to be the keeper of the night. But who will be there for Isabel and help her through to the other side?
Set on the lush island of Guam, Kimberly Willis Holt has written a painfully beautiful story about a young womans struggle to protect her family after suicide hits home.
Synopsis
A powerful novel about family, grief, and strength from the award-winning author of When Zachary Beaver Came to Town
Synopsis
Isabels mother died peacefully. At least thats what Isabel likes to think since no one in her family will talk about the truth. But in spite of their avoidance, in spite of their brave faces, the truth has a way of revealing itself at night, in her familys behavior. Her father sleeps curled up on the floor right where Mamas body was found. Olivia wets her bed and wakes repeatedly from nightmares, and Frank has started carving his anger into his bedroom wall. Its up to Isabel to help her family get beyond the pain and loss—to be the keeper of the night. But who will help Isabel?
About the Author
Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of the many award-winning novels for young adults and children, including The Water Seeker, My Louisiana Sky, and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, winner of a National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She is also the author of the bestselling Piper Reed series of chapter books, and picture books including Waiting for Gregory and Skinny Brown Dog. Holt was born in Pensacola, Florida, and lived all over the U.S. and the world—from Paris to Norfolk to Guam to New Orleans. She long dreamed of being a writer, but first worked as a radio news director, marketed a water park, and was an interior decorator, among other jobs. She lives in West Texas with her family.