Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

I have a love/hate thing with books that deal with the death of a child's sibling/best friend/pet. Even more as a parent. They just make me sad, and even the best resolution doesn't change that the main character has lost someone close to them. I distinctly remember reading Where the Red Fern Grows and sobbing so hard I couldn't catch my breath. But these books often end up being some of my favorites because they of the way they reach right into your heart and attach themselves to your strings.

Such is the case with Umbrella Summer. Annie Richards's older brother Jared is killed when a hockey puck hits him in the chest. Turns out he had a rare heart condition, and now Annie deals with the knowledge that terrible things can happen when you least expect it. She is certain some horrific disease or accident is going to befall her, and she's obsessed with every scratch or bump, taking extraordinary precautions to prevent injury or illness.

Author Lisa Graff (The Thing About Georgie) handles a delicate subject with just the right amount of empathy, as Annie's obsession and grief affects her family and her friendships. Annie's fear is paralyzing -- she refuses to do anything that might be dangerous, and believes every ache and pain is a sign of her impending doom. As her friend tells her, she's no fun anymore. Just careful. Annie, in some respects, is refusing to live. Her parents are doing the same thing, in their own way.

Annie will break your heart as she learns to find her way back to the land of the living. A mysterious new neighbor and a very special book play a big part.

While the resolution doesn't change the fact that someone special has been lost, Umbrella Summer demonstrates that learning to live without those we lose is hard, but living in honor of them is what's important.

Parents should consider reading along and discussing with their kids -- especially if the kids are tender hearted. Appropriate for 9 and up.

The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff

The thing about 9 year old Georgie is... he's a dwarf. But as the narrator of this story will tell you, that doesn't mean he's small in things like personality, talent and smarts. In fact, kids will quickly learn that the main thing about Georgie is that he's a lot like them.

For instance, Georgie is coming to terms with the fact that he's going to be a big brother. He's been the center of his parents world, and, on top of that, he's worried that it won't be long before his "little" sibling will be taller than him. On top of everything, he's had a falling out with his best friend, Andy... and the incredibly infuriating Jeanie the Meanie won't leave him alone.

This is a wonderful story that gives kids a glimpse into the world of a child who they may consider "different". Every kid wants to fit in, but for Georgie it goes beyond that. He has to adapt to a world made for taller people while he's trying to fit in, and his story is a nice lesson about walking in someone else's shoes.

What I really like about Graff's writing style is that the narrator's voice is very conversational and approachable, making the reader empathize with Georgie without being preachy. A surprise reveal to the narrator's identity at the end brings a smile.

Overall, kids will find themselves relating to someone they might not have thought they could relate to. Kids 9 to 12 will enjoy reading Georgie's story although I thoroughly enjoyed it as well. 4 bookmarks!

Graff's newest book, Umbrella Summer, is also in bookstores now. I'll definitely be adding it to be "to be read" list. Hope you will, too.