By Carol Divine
Library Media Specialist
Noblesville Intermediate School

Author and screenwriter Mario Puzo has said, “The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is its loyalty to each other.” This quote aptly sums up the power and importance of family life in two recently published children’s books.

Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret
Peg Kehret, a prolific mystery writer, has delivered on another quality cliffhanger. Sunny Skyland, a 13-year old girl presently living in foster care, yearns for the life she had before her parents died. At the age of three, she was separated from her twin sister, who was later adopted. Sunny, however, has been juggled from one foster home to another, with her present home being the best she has ever lived in because of a caring women named Rita. Even though Rita has tried to create a family feeling in her home, all Sunny can remember is the love she had for her twin, whom she has not seen for 10 years.

Following the few facts she knows about her early life, Sunny decides to run away to reunite with her twin. This leads her on a journey from Nebraska to the state of Washington. In her journey, she also adopts a homeless dog, which becomes a new “family” connection for her. Sunny does indeed find her sister after a series of dangerous mishaps, which also includes a tornado. Her reunion with her sister does not have the desired positive reaction she hopes for, and Sunny is forced to decide what will become the family that she needs to build for herself.

Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret was published by Dutton Children’s Books, copyright 2009. The suggested retail price is $16.99.

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
Another wonderful tale about family life is Richard Peck’s A Season of Gifts, which is a companion book to his Newbery Honor book A Long Way from Chicago and Newbery Medal winner A Year Down Yonder. For those readers who have missed the antics of Grandma Dowdel, from the previous books, this tale will satisfy the Dowdel fans.

The story, set in 1958, finds Grandma welcoming new neighbors, a minister and his family, who are renting the house next door. As usual, a child narrates the story as Bob, the twelve-year old son, captures the rather intimidating nature and personality of Grandma. As his little sister Ruth so aptly states as they view Grandma’s house, “It’s like Halloween here in August.”

As can be found in the companion books, Grandma works her magic to make the minister and his family welcome to the area. If not for her, Bob’s father would not be able to establish a successful church. As is seen in every Peck book, though, the twists and turns in the plot don’t always make it clear at first of Grandma’s generosity. As the title implies, Grandma makes a “season of gifts” and creates a new family spirit for Bob and his family. Humor abounds at every turn.

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck was published by Dial Books for Young Readers, copyright 2009. The suggested retail is $16.99.