Mum is dead and eleven year old Martha seems to be the only responsible person left in the family. She's taking care of the house, taking care of her little brother, Tug, and taking care of her father who should be taking care of them.
This is the bleak story of a family wrestling with the dark side of alcoholism. Where can children turn when Dad is not Dad any more? How threatening will Social Services be? Can the grandparents offer warmth or simply disdain and criticism? Martha and Tug hold on to their hope and their memories as they search for the light at the end of this tunnel.
Martha and Tug find some escape with their friend Marcus who has a passion for theater and film. Together they create their own shows with Martha salving some of her wounds through creating brilliant costumes. The story seesaws up and down as the children's hopes rise and fall. Will Dad ever come back to his best self and take on his responsibilities and role as nurturer? How can children accept an imperfect parent? This is not an easy story to read. It's painful and gray but it is a worthy journey to understand the pain of families in our midst and the heroic lives of children who deserve so much better. Ages 9 -12 327 pages 978-0385752350
Recommended by: Barb
