It's been awhile since I have posted a book....because, well I started reading adult books I guess! But I am now back to reading books from the Maud Hart Lovelace nominee potentials for next year. I have several books to write about.
The Question of Miracles is a story about a girl named Iris Abernathy who has moved to a small town in Oregon with her parents. She came from sunny California and the rainy weather of Oregon has not helped with her adjustment. You also find out that Iris believes her best friend, who tragically died, is a ghost under the stairs closet in their new house. I was getting ready for a scary mystery. But the book is actually about Iris as she tries to deal with the death of her best friend. She meets a boy who she finds out is considered a miracle because before he was born, they determined he would probably not survive and yet he thrived. The Catholic church declares it a miracle and so Iris wonders how miracles are given out. Is it faith or luck? She spends time in counseling and just grappling with big questions of life. She also makes new friends and begins to slowly move on.
Iris's family is not a spiritual family and so her questions about miracles and God cannot be discussed with them without just getting more questions. She tries to look to others for different answers. As a believer in God and his interest in my life, I felt sad that Iris had so little hope for her life and for others. Her interest in her friend's miracle life shows that seeking answers outside of a concrete science thinking mindset is natural for people. I am glad the author did not shut down all the thoughts about miracles but left it open for the readers. When science can't answer, our spirit may just lead us to a greater truth.
This book moves a bit slowly, and since it isn't a ghost story after all, may be disappointing to some readers. I would give it a solid 3 out of 4. It was a good book, but probably not going to appeal to everyone. It is a 5.3 reading level and perfect for 5th grade and up. More girl appeal as well.
Age Range: 10 - 12 years
- Grade Level: 5 - 7
- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (February 3, 2015)
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