© 1999 by Oxford University Press
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 91, No. 23, 2045,
December 1, 1999
© 1999 Oxford University Press
BOOK REVIEW |
Sky Memories
Pat Brisson. New York (NY): Delacorte Press, 1999. 71 pp., illus. $14.95. ISBN 0-385-32606-8
Correspondence to: Merle O'Rourke Thompson, Ph.D., 6012 Morgan Ct., Alexandria, VA 22312.
How do a parent and a young child handle the impending death of the parent? How does it feel to be the child of a single mom who has just died of cancer? This lovely 71-page book provides some answers for both mother and child, especially if they read it together. Pat Brisson, a librarian and children's book writer, haunted by the deaths of two women friends who left young children behind, wrote this lyric novella to help such women and their children.
Ten-year-old Emily narrates her story, beginning with "The year before my mother died, we gathered sky memories." A frightening sentence for any child. However, even a young reader would be comforted to know immediately, if unconsciously, that Emily has survived emotionally intact. She is sufficiently whole that she can describe the event. And she has comforting memories.
During their span together, Emily's mom has created dialogues with her child: They make a game of seeing the first forsythia buds, they play games and read, and, during their final year, they look at the sky to memorize the picture for "sky memories." Painter Wendell Minor has created eight lovely illustrations for the sky memories that are full page and in bright colors.
Many important issues are covered. The mom and Aunt Vicki, who comes to live with them and becomes Emily's guardian, always use direct, honest words like "cancer" and "die." Emily says that she likes Aunt Vicki because she always tells her the truth, "The medicine may help Mom get better, but the doctors don't know yet." Describing her mother's steady decline during the last few months, Emily talks about her Mom's hair coming out in clumps and her weakness that eventually prevents her from getting out of bed. She learns to get herself up with her own alarm clock, to prepare her own breakfast, and to get herself on the school bus. She plays with her friend Laura, the one who talks often to Emily about her mom even after her death.
So, we follow Emily through her fear, anger, and guilt; we watch her worry about being out of control; we see her proudly take responsibility; we share with her the loving support of family and friends; we see her having fun and enjoying life, despite the sadness around her; and, after the death, we see her vacillating between isolating herself and seeking comfort.
This excellent book is small enough for little hands; it could easily be carried around for repetitive reading and comfort from the paintings. No reading grade level is indicated, but the multisyllable words are familiar, and lots of dialogue provide an "easy to read" feel, even if some sentences are more than 20 words. A fifth grader should have little trouble reading the book, and many younger children would be able to read it with assistance. There is a reading guide with discussion questions for children.
My stepsons' mom read E. B. White's Charlotte's Web to them the months before she died from cancer when they were 5 and 6 years old. Memories of her voice intoning that famous book about farmyard death are vivid for them, providing a loving motherly link 30 years later when other memories are dim. Good books have a knack that way.
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