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Byars, Betsy Cromer.
KEEPER OF THE DOVES
New York : Viking, 2002.
IL 3-6, RL 5.7
ISBN 0670035769
Young Amie’s real name is Amen McBee.  Her father named her Amen because, as his 5th daughter, she was “the end to his prayer for a son.”  It is a new century and Amie and her four older sisters (two of which are twins so identical they are known only as the Bellas) live on an extravagant estate, The Willows.  There isn't much to worry about at the Willows, except for one thing.  Mr. Tominski.  Mysterious Mr. Tominski.  He lived on the property with Amie’s father for his protector.  He was scarcely seen or heard and from the age of 3 on, Amie had been told by the Bellas that Mr. Tominski was dangerous and that he ate children whole.  Amie didn't really believe them but with the mystery surrounding old Mr. Tominski coupled with all the stories the Bellas told, she wasn't sure.  Her father said Mr. Tominski was harmless and was the keeper of the doves, training them to fly beautiful circles above him.  Then the unexplained death of the family's beloved dog, Scout, has the Bellas accusing Mr. Tominski of terrible things.  What truth will Amie learn about the mysterious Keeper of the Doves? (Jocelyn Deal, dealj@clarke.k12.ga.us,  Winterville Elementary School, Winterville, GA)
SUBJECTS:     Sisters -- Fiction.
                        Family life -- Kentucky -- Fiction.
                        Recluses -- Fiction.
                        Kentucky -- History 1865- -- Fiction.
                        Historical fiction.

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