Catherine Ryan Hyde

I picked this book up as a bargain e-read on Amazon. It sounded interesting and was all of $.99 so I bought it. I'm really glad that I did! It was a fantastic book about 9-year-old Grace (some editions seem to list her as 10, but this one said 9) and the struggles she faces as well as how she pulls together everyone in her apartment building.

I found the characters to be incredibly realistic and full of life. I found that I was able to completely immerse myself in their world and finished the book in about 2-3 days, which for an e-read is rather quick for me. E-reads for me tend to be books I read when out and about and I don't have a physical book, but I just couldn't stop reading this one!

Sure, I would've liked to have known more about some of the other tenants in the building, but this book was focused on Billy and on Grace. The rest, no matter how influential, were side characters.

I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.… (más)

I picked this book up as a bargain e-read on Amazon. It sounded interesting and was all of $.99 so I bought it. I'm really glad that I did! It was a fantastic book about 9-year-old Grace (some editions seem to list her as 10, but this one said 9) and the struggles she faces as well as how she pulls together everyone in her apartment building.

I found the characters to be incredibly realistic and full of life. I found that I was able to completely immerse myself in their world and finished the book in about 2-3 days, which for an e-read is rather quick for me. E-reads for me tend to be books I read when out and about and I don't have a physical book, but I just couldn't stop reading this one!

Sure, I would've liked to have known more about some of the other tenants in the building, but this book was focused on Billy and on Grace. The rest, no matter how influential, were side characters.

I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.… (más)

Nathan McCann is on his way to his duck hunting spot when his dog stops and wants Nathan to follow her. He notices a small package in the leaves. Upon closer inspection, he sees it is a newborn baby boy, who is very cold. Nathan rushes the child to the hospital and tells the doctor he wants to adopt the boy. However, the grandmother is awarded the child, but Nathan tells her he wants to know the boy, and she names him Nathan. The boy is in and out of trouble as he grows, and at her wit's end, the grandmother gives him to Nathan. Nat, the boy, gives Nathan trouble, but eventually, he grows to respect Nathan, as Nathan guides Nat through some difficult situations.
A beautiful story about the power of love and how a caring person makes all the difference.… (más)

I get it. I really do. The take home message here is that unconditional love is a powerful thing. It gives confidence and drive and a sense of self worth. The infallibility of Nathan who does so was the best part of this book - albeit frustrating. Nathan finds an abandoned baby and proclaims that no matter what, he will always be there for that child - and he surely delivers over and over as the boy Nat grows up and makes mistakes like you wouldn't believe.

And perhaps that is the message. People fuck up. And there will come a time when those people will alienate their friends and family... or in Nathan's case, not. The author is supposedly known for her other book [b:Pay It Forward|215631|Pay It Forward|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388936719s/215631.jpg|766708] which promotes said powerful message - a tenet that is touched upon here. Nat finally redeems himself, finally gets it - but for me it was pretty much too little, too late.… (más)