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A review by theliterateleprechaun
Life, Loss, and Puffins by Catherine Ryan Hyde
4.0
“Always choose to live your life in a way that promotes awe.”
Rumaki ‘Ru’ Evans turned 13 just as she was accepted into college. It was a fight to get there, not because of her grades or age, but because her mother didn’t want to let go. Finally, her mother agrees to let Ru board with the Gulbranson family and attend college. It was one of those experiences that changed her life.
An only child, and a sheltered one at that, Ru learns to lean on the Gulbranson’s 17-year-old son, Gabriel. He becomes her best friend and confidant and he loves that she accepts him as he is. They provide the scaffolding each needs to grow and blossom. When trauma enters Ru’s life, Gabriel plans a trip to see the aurora borealis and the puffins. He knows exactly what she needs to dig deep and find herself and soon the words of her Astrophysics professor have meaning.
I really enjoyed this story about self-discovery and self-acceptance. I don’t often read YA fiction but appreciated the reminders about things teens struggle with: fitting in, being seen, love, acceptance, and learning to ‘fly’ after leaving home. Ru’s eidetic memory (photographic memory) and hyperthymesia (HSAM, highly superior autobiographical memory), age, and course selection set her apart from her peers but Gabriel bridges the gap and helps Ru to build that bridge between herself and others. I enjoyed the examination of the mother/child bond and the chance to see YA work through loss and grief.
I chose this book because I’ve yet to see the aurora borealis for myself. I’ve been far North many, many times and have been disappointed. Hyde was able to capture the spectacular experience on paper and allow armchair travellers an opportunity to join in on the deeply affecting nature experience. I appreciated Hyde’s reminder that life is a journey, filled with experiences we wouldn’t choose for ourselves. Gladys reminded me to laugh. Ru reminded me to see the beauty around me. Gabriel encouraged me to be myself and accept others where they are and as they are.
This book will ‘move’ you. Read with caution. Grab Kleenex.
Rumaki ‘Ru’ Evans turned 13 just as she was accepted into college. It was a fight to get there, not because of her grades or age, but because her mother didn’t want to let go. Finally, her mother agrees to let Ru board with the Gulbranson family and attend college. It was one of those experiences that changed her life.
An only child, and a sheltered one at that, Ru learns to lean on the Gulbranson’s 17-year-old son, Gabriel. He becomes her best friend and confidant and he loves that she accepts him as he is. They provide the scaffolding each needs to grow and blossom. When trauma enters Ru’s life, Gabriel plans a trip to see the aurora borealis and the puffins. He knows exactly what she needs to dig deep and find herself and soon the words of her Astrophysics professor have meaning.
I really enjoyed this story about self-discovery and self-acceptance. I don’t often read YA fiction but appreciated the reminders about things teens struggle with: fitting in, being seen, love, acceptance, and learning to ‘fly’ after leaving home. Ru’s eidetic memory (photographic memory) and hyperthymesia (HSAM, highly superior autobiographical memory), age, and course selection set her apart from her peers but Gabriel bridges the gap and helps Ru to build that bridge between herself and others. I enjoyed the examination of the mother/child bond and the chance to see YA work through loss and grief.
I chose this book because I’ve yet to see the aurora borealis for myself. I’ve been far North many, many times and have been disappointed. Hyde was able to capture the spectacular experience on paper and allow armchair travellers an opportunity to join in on the deeply affecting nature experience. I appreciated Hyde’s reminder that life is a journey, filled with experiences we wouldn’t choose for ourselves. Gladys reminded me to laugh. Ru reminded me to see the beauty around me. Gabriel encouraged me to be myself and accept others where they are and as they are.
This book will ‘move’ you. Read with caution. Grab Kleenex.