More somber in mood and adult in tone than Little's (From Anna; Hey, World, Here I Am!) previous books, this novel may disappoint the author's fans. The book opens after Willow and Twig's mother has disappeared again, this time leaving them with an ailing friend who dies while the siblings are in her care. Luckily, Willow has kept an envelope containing information on how to reach their maternal grandmother and, after several protracted scenes, they go to live in her farmhouse on 10 acres. Willow's strong connection to her four-year-old brother, who was born addicted and who has lost most of his hearing due to a beating by one of their mother's acquaintances, binds the novel together. However, 11-year-old Willow's thoughts often convey a level of consciousness not displayed in her actions or conversations (for instance, as she walks one of the many household dogs, she gazes at nature and thinks, "Here you could simply stand and let the land smooth out all the hurt, rough, sore places inside you"). Milestone events for the protagonist—such as making up with the neighbor girl, her first real friend, after an argument; adjusting to school; and separating from Twig for the first time—take place mostly offstage. Thus Willow stays at arm's length from readers, making the narrative seem more like a social worker's profile than a fully realized depiction of the siblings' journey to safety. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)
