Monday, March 24, 2014

Skies Like These by Tess Hilmo

Jade's not happy.  She expected to spend her summer vacation the way she always did:  reading and watching TV reruns.  In the city, where she's used to stuff and feels safe.  Not at her aunt's house in Wyoming.  Give her a break!

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published July 15th, so make a note on your TBR list.  

Jade's aunt is nice enough even if it has been a long time since she's seen her and she's a bit weird.  She has dogs, though.  One HUGE dog scares her.  Of course, he decides her likes her and she can't get away from him.  In time, he grows on her and she enjoys his company, too.  The other odd part about her aunt's house is that she has this "helper".  He's a young cowboy, which is not too unusual in Wyoming.  However, he calls himself Roy and thinks he's a descendant of Butch Cassidy.  That's not real normal...

Jade finds her aunt is into stargazing and has a magnificent view from her roof.  Roy wants her to be his Sundance Kid and help him with his nefarious ideas for getting enough money to help his dad reopen his hardware store.  Like rob the bank, or steal art treasures from the new hardware store owner.

There are a lot of sweet touches in this story.  The characters are realistic, everybody grows up a bit this summer, and there are plans for the future.  It's written for middle graders but I found it a very nice read for adults, too.  

Do you have a stargazer in your family?  This book would be great for them.  If you don't, maybe you and your child could use this book as a guide to start looking at the sky.  It's a big world out there.

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