"I know Mom would want us to be happy, not crying and walking backward and tinkering with the space-time continuum. If she saw us at this present moment - Dad in the basement denying reality, Sam in his room drawing psycho snakes, and me here griping - she'd just shake her head...Sammy can't start kindergarten walking backward and drawing killer snakes. He'd be the weird kid from day one... Dr. Tierney needs to get Sammy on a different path."
When his mother sees a snake in her car, panics and slams into a tree at a high rate of speed, Josh, his brother Sam and their father must deal with her resulting death and their incapacitating loss. Through their psychiatrist they are encouraged to try to journal their thoughts and feelings in personal attempts to help them adjust to the changes they are facing. Dad is in denial and Josh seems to be in charge of the household, as Dad can't cope with his parenting role. Sam has taken to walking backward so that he will always remember the face of those he meets in case they, too, should die. Dad is building a time machine in the basement so that the family might go back to the time before his wife died.
Josh's voice is so strong as he shares his anger, his confusion and his hope for a changed future. We come to realize that time slowly is making their days better. When Sam begins kindergarten he makes new friends, finds new interests and has the support of a teacher he loves. Josh makes the discovery that his former girlfriend is the one who put the snake in the car and that results in some closure for him. In the end we know that all is not perfect and won't be for a long time. But, we can see that the family is on the right course for themselves and the life they are now leading. This is not just a book about death, but about family, enduring love, community support and endless possibilities. I know you will like it.
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