Alyson Richman never disappoints. Her books are always memorable and move me. This book will connect with those that are teachers, and those that at some time in their life had a teacher that really was memorable. Definitely a 5 star read. ( )

Maggie Porter teaches English in a school district in Long Island's Suffolk County. One year, she is asked to tutor an ill child at home. His life changes, as does hers, over the course of the next year and a half. ( )

Thanks to Penguin Random House and Book Movement for sending copies of The Secret of Clouds for our book club to enjoy. I am providing this review honestly.
I really enjoyed this sweet story of a teacher and her relationship with a student who had health issues. Yuri, the student, taught Maggie, the teacher, many things about life. She grew to really bond with this student, over books, writing, and baseball.
This book also examined other parts of Maggie's life - her relationship with her parents, her boyfriends, and her co-teachers.
The book was a nice exploration of what it means to live life to the fullest.
However, there were 2 errors in the book that bothered me. One - the author constantly referred to January 1, 2000 as the new millennium. It is not - January 1, 2001 is the new millennium, December 31, 2000 is the end of the century and the old millennium. Many people thought of the change to 2000, especially after the Y2k craze, as the new millennium, but it is not. I am surprised that the editor didn't catch this and correct it. Two - the author talked about having her friend, Suzie, the art teacher move in with her, but said there was a problem in that the cottage only had one bedroom. Later in the book, she mentions that she converted the second bedroom.
This was a feel good book, with a bit that tugged at the heartstrings, but overall, very well done.
#TheSecretofClouds #AlysonRichman ( )

Two women - a mother and a teacher. Two back stories of loss and love. One very sick child. These are the basics of The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman. The emotion in this book should come from the tragic situation. Yet, the more memorable emotions of this book are the ones from Maggie's and Katya's past. This focus lessens the impact of this book as does the ending, which seems too packaged.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2019/02/the-secret-of-clouds.html

Reviewed for Penguin First to Read program. ( )

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Penguin Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Velvet Hours and was incredibly honoured to have been selected to review Richman's newest book. The Secret of Clouds is a moving story about a mother's love, a teacher's promise, and a child's heart.

Richman's writing at times is rather simplistic and initially I was concerned that I would start skimming, but stick with it, there are two beautiful stories in play.

Katya, a ballerina, and Sasha, a student, are a young couple just starting out when tragedy falls on their homeland, Kiev. The couple emigrate to America in the hopes of a better life, but the consequences of the tragedy surface in their son, Yuri, who was born with a heart condition and a compromised immune system. He grows up isolated from other children in the hopes of sparing him from sickness.

Maggie, a wonderful and passionate young teacher, takes on tutoring Yuri at home. Yuri gives her pause—he reminds her so much of her friend that died as a child. The The two form an unlikely connection that runs deep. Maggie is inspired by Yuri and draws on his strength to make a difficult change in her own life.

We've all had at least one special teacher, you know, the kind that sees your potential and ultimately changes your life. This story is a beautiful tribute to those teachers and it fills the heart. ( )