10/15/2016 0 Comments The Changing SeasonSteven Manchester has proven himself to be an insightful and gifted author. From The Rockin’ Chair to Pressed Pennies to Gooseberry Island, he is able to relay the stories he tells in such a way that the reader feels immersed into the narrative. I have been honored to review several of his books, and each time I think he can’t possibly impress me more. And then he does. This book, The Changing Season, is no exception. From the first lines, I felt as though I was right there in the car with Billy, hearing the rain beat down on the roof and feeling the anxiety of trying to make it home safely through a brutal storm. Then I felt such relief when Billy finally made it home safely to his best friend, Jimmy. And this was just in the first half of the first chapter! The chapters that followed were just as skillful at sucking me in and making me stay up WAY beyond my bedtime because I just could not put it down! One of the things I like the most about Steven’s books is the skillful way he takes very difficult life events – war, divorce, injury, illness, death – and although he doesn’t sugarcoat the trauma of these events, he relates a story that makes them somehow less scary. He forces the reader to stare these traumas in the face and come out the other side feeling empowered and determined. I loved this book, just as much as I have loved all of his other books. I saw another review that mentioned that reading his books feels like coming home, and I whole-heartedly agree. I feel like I am slipping into a big comfy sweater and sitting in front of a fireplace with a soothing cup of tea everytime I read one of his books. It is comforting to have that feeling with all of the turmoil happening in the world. I cannot wait to see (and read) what he does next!
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