The topic gets old. ( )

Evie, whose parents own and run a Jewish funeral home, is thrust into a relationship with Oren, who is struggling to cope after surviving the car crash that killed his parents. Issues of how to support mourners and handle death with dignity are sensitively handled in this beautiful story of loss, guilt, and the power of friendship. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Notable) ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 4-8

Plot Summary: Evie works for her parents at a Jewish funeral home right across the parking lot from her house. Her job is to vacuum, dust, restock supplies, and hand out kleenex as people come in for the funeral. She knows she wants to be a funeral director when she's older, so she's thrilled when she gets the chance to do a big job -- talk to Oren, a kid who's parents both died in a car crash. Oren is mute since the accident and Evie has a tendency to blabber on. Will Oren open up to her?

Setting: ?

Characters:
Evie - AKA Evelyn, enjoys quilling
Oren Katzman - communicates with his phone and using gestures, facial expressions
Mr. Silver - Oren's uncle and new guardian,
Sam - Evie's friend from camp, don't know what happened with the friendship until the end of the book

Recurring Themes: quilling, death, loss, orphan, tragedy, funeral home, funerals,

Controversial Issues: a few details about what happens to the body after death

Personal Thoughts: For a book with a mute character, the author did a really nice job of showing instead of telling. The book was well-written and heartbreaking, although I did not shed any tears. Evie explains how Jewish funerals are different and the same as other funerals.

Genre: realistic fiction

Pacing: medium
Characters: well developed
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )