"White Picket Fences" by Susan Meissner illustrates the illusion of "normal" families. Sixteen year old Tally has lived a very different life with her Dad than her Aunt Amanda and Uncle Neil live with their two children, Chase (17) and Delcey (13). Her Dad's characteristic upending of their current living situation puts Tally with her infrequently visited Grandmother Virginia. On the second day there, Tally comes home to find her Grandma has passed on. With no family, except for her Dad's sister, Amanda, her Aunt's home becomes the logical place to stay until her Dad returns from his "treasure-hunting" in Poland.
Aunt Amanda and Uncle Neil live in a nice, middle class neighborhood. Cousin Chase shows Tally around the school, and gradually they become friends. A class project puts Chase and Tally together as they interview two Holocaust survivors. They slowly discover there are secrets in each one's life that are eating at their "normal" life.
"Readers of emotional dramas that are willing to explore the lies that families tell each other for protection and comfort will love White Picket Fences. The novel is ideal for those who appreciate exploring questions like: what type of honesty do children need from their parents, or how can one move beyond a past that isn’t acknowledged or understood? Is there hope and forgiveness for the tragedies of our past and a way to abundant grace?"
This book reminds me of the verse, John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This book has a great conclusion!! It would be appropriate for older teens to read.
Author Bio: Susan Meissner cannot remember a time when she wasn’t driven to put her thoughts down on paper. Her novel The Shape of Mercy was a Publishers Weekly pick for best religious fiction of 2008 and a Christian Book Award finalist. Susan and her husband live in Southern California, where he is a pastor and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. They are the parents of four grown children.
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This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
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