REVIEW
Monarch Publishing welcomes a new middle grade novel to the reading repertoire called Angels in the Sand by Lori Keating. This novel is a touching story about a contemporary family choosing joy amid hard circumstances.
Jess and her mother Darlene make the annual East Coast trek to Grandma’s house during the Christmas holidays. Jess and Grandma make lists of festive fun activities to do together and both treasure the memories. The list includes making gingerbread houses, caroling at the piano, soaking up festivities around town, and making lots of snow angels! Sadly, this year may be Grandma’s last Christmas due to her diagnosis of terminal cancer. To top things off Jess and Darlene cannot seem to move on in their grief over the passing of a beloved husband and father two years ago. Can three generations (Grandma, Darlene, and Jess) help each other bid sadness goodbye and sprinkle this Christmas with loads of joyful memories?
Keating expertly weaves her timeless message about finding joy during trials through Grandma’s wise quotes and actions. She often cautions Darlene and Jess to look on the bright side of life and not to dwell on the tough stuff. At one point, Darlene gets into a worrysome tizzy over Grandma’s cancer. Grandma notes, “…You need to stop dwelling on what’s to come. Tomorrow has its own worries, and we are not going to focus on them. We are going to focus on living…” (p. 19).
Grandma and Jess share a moment of wisdom over the future as they are making snow angels together. Jess breaks down in tears over not having the chance to make snow angel memories with Grandma after this year. Grandma comfortingly comments, “That is the wonderful thing about memories. You hold them in your heart, and when you need them, they are always with you. Just like I will be.” She encourages Jess to “Never lose hope my dear” (p. 31). On their last morning together before Jess and Darlene head home, Grandma cuddles with Jess and hugs Darlene for a long time just telling her family she loves them. This goodbye rings with finality but Grandma would rather spread the sunshine of her love instead of the rain of her tears at the closure of this family gathering.
It is delightfully interesting to watch small hints of Grandma’s positivity leave marks in the lives of her daughter and granddaughter. I will leave it to the reader to discover the generational gems that follow in Grandma’s wake. Sometimes a story just speaks for itself (: Finding joy in tough times is hard to do in today’s world but a read of Angels in the Sand makes it easier to nurture and cultivate joy in your heart. Thank you, Lori Keating, for showing us that grief is real but choosing joy during heartache adds a spot of sunshine that might chase the gray clouds away.
You can find the book on Amazon , Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.
GIVEAWAY
Lori is giving away an autographed copy of ANGELS IN THE SAND to one fortunate reader. To enter, please request the book from your library. Comment by January 21. U.S. addresses only.
GUEST BLOGGER, Kate Lundeen
The Lord’s hand of watchful care and protection blessed my life from my start as a tiny premature infant. Doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy from birth complications which mainly affected my legs and motor skills. I also have a learning disability that does not allow me to write down or process thoughts as fast as other people. I am a former homeschooler and obtained an Associate in Arts degree from a North Carolina community college after five years of hard work! I discovered and developed a love for writing in college. Now I pen articles for my local church newsletter and write book reviews. I enjoy my current job as a part-time library assistant in a Christian library in Matthews, NC. I have a servant’s heart and a willing attitude to grow in old skills and develop new ones along whatever path the Lord chooses to take me.
How refreshing to read the commentary of guest blogger Kate Lundeed. I would love to read this book and share it with middle grade kids!
I would love for you to share this with your middle grade kids!
Thank you, Linda. I’ll start the list with your name.
Great review, Kate! This book is on my TBR list. It sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Marci. I’ll add your name to the giveaway.
Thank you, Marci!
This book is a great one. Thanks for all the good comments!
Thank you, Kate! And for your lovely review!
Thank you, Kate!
Thanks for your thoughtful review, Kate. I will pass on the giveaway. I have way too many books right now.
Thanks for sharing the review and giveaway!
Sounds like a very hopeful book, which kids need these days!
Thanks, Nicole!
Thank you, Nicole. I agree and will add your name to the list.
It sounds a heart-breaking situation, and having lost some one so recently, another terminal diagnosis would be very hard to take! Love the title and thanks for sharing!
I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Valinora. I appreciate your comment.
This sounds like a real heartwarming story. I’ll let someone else win since I won a book here last week.
Thank you!
Thanks, Natalie!
Sounds like a wonderful and heartwarming story. Unfortunately, I still have way too many books right now so will need to pass on the giveaway. Happy MMGM to you.
Thank you!
I know that looming pile of TBR books–but thanks for the comment, Brenda.
I enjoy stories where the characters are from different generations. This one not only has that element but so much more. Sounds like a great read aloud and a book ripe with discussion topics. I’m the same as Brenda with a ridiculous pile of books still to read and review so let someone else win the giveaway.
Thank you, Greg!
Thank you, Greg!
I love grief books. And this one is exceptional because of the openness in between Jess and her grandma. It is such an important way to bring closure. So much wisdom in this story for all! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Patricia. I think you would really like this book. Your name is in the hat!
Thanks for a great review. This sounds like a book that could be pretty important for the right readers.
Thank you, Rebecca. I agree!