Audrey Shafer

A sweet book about a quiet boy, Gabe, who finds a home with his anti-social uncle, Vernon, after years in the foster care system. When Vernon drops dead, however, Gabe doesn't know what to do. For the time being, he pretends that Vernon is still alive -- a lie made easier when a secret "guardian angel" begins delivering messages via the mailbox to him. Who is his benefactor? What should Gabe do next? How long can he keep his uncle's death a secret? This book has much to say about the power of reaching out and taking care of each other. Gabe learns that he is truly not alone but finds support from many people. The adults, without exception, are kind and well-meaning. Gabe's predicament is senstively portrayed. The ending is believable and satisfying. The book seemed a bit old-fashioned to this reader... and that is definitely a good thing! [Spoiler alert: Vernon suffered from PTSD from his days in the Vietnam war; Gabe's secret friend is another Vietnam War Vet, "Smitty"...the dog is Smith's own pet]… (meer)

Narrated by Nick Landrum. Gabe comes home from school to find his Uncle Vernon dead on the floor. Gabe has been orphaned since a toddler and after numerous foster homes, finally found a stable home with his uncle. Fearing that he will be returned to the foster system, Gabe keeps his uncle’s death a secret. But someone else knows what’s going on. Uncle Vernon’s body disappears and Gabe begins receiving notes in the mailbox assuring him that everything will be all right. Gabe’s correspondent turns out to be Smitty, a Vietnam war vet like Vernon and one of his closest friends. The happy, Lassie-come-home ending is way too convenient and sentimental. The narration ultimately makes Gabe come off as almost too squeaky-clean and well-mannered to be believed, considering his transitional upbringing.… (meer)

Another coming-of-age novel about a mixed-up kid trying to sort things out. Ho-hum. There's a somewhat contrived premise of child abandonment that may be acceptable to middle and high schoolers, but most readers won't be able to suspend their disbelief. While there were poignant passages about this foster child trying to make it on his own, the improbable characterization involving a phantom Vietnam War who provides miraculous assistance is a stretch.

For me, it read like a paint-by-numbers adolescent novel trying to gel the story of unwanted children with the plight of Vietnam War vets. How is it a social misfit kid with bad grammar writes like a gifted student? How does a near-crippled war veteran stealthily sneak in and clean up after the deceased? Too much magical realm clashing with what was supposed to be the harsh reality of the poor kid's circumstances, and the happily-ever-after ending was disappointing. The author ran out of complexity.… (meer)

I don't know if I was influenced by the fact that I haven't been thrilled with the last two audiobooks I listened to, but I loved this book. I did feel the ending went on a little longer than it probably needed to - that the extra continuations took away some of the impact that could have been had by ending things a little earlier and less tied up - but that's a minor quibble.

Listened to Recorded Books Audio Edition narrated by Nick Landrum. The narration was excellent with Landrum creating different voices for each character including slight Southern accents when appropriate.

This could also be an excellent classroom novel that would connect well with Vietnam War units or would work well for book discussion groups of 4th or 5th grade up through 8th or so. I still think my Caudill vote would go to Savvy, but this knocks Schooled out of contention for me for sure. Schooled was good, but I definitely liked this better.… (meer)