Booktalk
#1
Imagine the issues surrounding
the discovery of an adoptee’s biological parent. The surging emotions of
joy, fear, and guilt would leave any adult in a confused state. River too
goes thru these emotions but without the maturity of the adult. Uncle
Daddy deals unusually with the return of a father that has been absent
for six years. During these intervening years, River has had the strong,
mature guidance of a great uncle. Now during a crisis, the natural father
displays his new strengths to support the family and gains new emotional
connections. The result is a new, stronger, blended family.
Edith Ley
for
The
South Carolina Children's Book Award nominees 2005
Booktalk #2
Can broken hearts be mended?
Maybe, maybe not. Nine-year-old Rivers isn't sure. Once he
would have said “No, way!” There was no way that he would ever let
his father back into his life. Not after the way his father abandoned
Rivers and his mother. One night when Rivers was three, he went out
for pizza and never came back. Never a phone call, never a letter—nothing.
He just disappeared. Besides, Rivers has Uncle Daddy. Uncle
Daddy is really his mother's uncle, but to Rivers he is the only father
a boy could ever need. Nothing could ever change that. Or could
it? Can broken hearts be mended? When Uncle Daddy has a heart
attack, Rivers prays that they can be. What about River’s heart?
Can it be mended? (Alice Brice. abrice@sc.rr.com,
Media Specialist, Baron DeKalb Elementary School, Camden, SC)
Booktalk #3
Is there enough love in a nine-year-old
boy’s heart for two fathers? In Uncle Daddy, Rivers is forced to
find out the answer to this question when his absentee real dad returns
after being missing for six years. His father went out to get pizza
one night, but didn't come back. He didn't even bother to call or
send a note. Rivers doesn't even recognize his real father when he
shows up at his own front door. Uncle Daddy is the only man Rivers
has known as his dad and the only one he remembers taking care of him.
Uncle Daddy is really his mother's uncle, but he moved in to help out after
his real dad skipped out. Uncle Daddy has been a wonderful parent
to Rivers.
Now, what will happen?
Rivers is confused and angry. Can he forgive his real dad and accept
him back into his life? If he does, what will happen to Uncle Daddy?
Find out by reading Uncle Daddy. (Carolyn Davis, DCDavis1@homexpressway.net,
Sedgefield Intermediate Media Specialist, Berkeley County)
