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A review by lyndiane
The Ability by M.M. Vaughan
5.0
I don't often read books written for 12-year old readers, as most of them have the ghastly tendency of being either shamefully patronising or excruciatingly childish (forgive the adjectives). It is therefore refreshing to encounter an author who understands that the average 12-year old has a well-developed intellect and is capable of understanding rather complex situations.
The aspect of a poverty-stricken child-headed household is sensitively portrayed, as is the desperate situation of severe and long-term depression caused by inconsolable grief. The author is very wise not to create a victim mentality for Chris (this is done far too often these days, and is the cause of a great deal of harm in our world), and deftly manages to introduce a moral dilemma with a nasty little conflict; do you obey an instruction or do you keep a promise?
This would make an excellent book to use in class as part of a reading exercise and group discussion
The aspect of a poverty-stricken child-headed household is sensitively portrayed, as is the desperate situation of severe and long-term depression caused by inconsolable grief. The author is very wise not to create a victim mentality for Chris (this is done far too often these days, and is the cause of a great deal of harm in our world), and deftly manages to introduce a moral dilemma with a nasty little conflict; do you obey an instruction or do you keep a promise?
This would make an excellent book to use in class as part of a reading exercise and group discussion