I started reading this book and found I could not put it down. It took me six hours to read the 342 pages, and I came away from the experience smiling but feeling vaguely haunted by some of the images the book conjured for me.

This book is as complex as it is simple. It is a character driven story, and the characters are all really robust – you will not find any two-dimentional characters in this book. Even the supporting characters have a depth to them that I have found uncommon in the current genre of teen fiction.

It is no secret from the back cover of the book that the main character is a cutter. If you don’t know what a cutter is you can get more information at this handy-dandy Wikipedia entry on self-injury. If you do know what a cutter is, either from personal experience or from someone in your family, be warned – some of the scenes in the book are graphic, but in a very authentic, respectful way. Nothing over the top or silly, which makes it even more disturbing in some instances but keeps the book grounded. It makes the fiction feel less like fiction and more like it could be based on a true story, which makes the story more compelling.

There is a love story here, as well as a story about family bonds and growth. It is a snapshot into a time period in a girl’s life – a time right after her parents have died and she feels responsible for the accident that took their lives.

It is a powerful, gripping, emotional story of loss and pain and growth and healing.

While this book is aimed squarely at the teen market, I think that the quality of writing and power of the storyline make it a great read for adults as well.

If you plan to give this book to your teen, talk about it with them when they’re finished. Willow is a book that can open the door between you and your teen to talk about the difference between perception and reality. How a teen can feel the world is perceiving them one way and how that can be vastly different from the reality that acutally surrounds them.

It’s a talk no teen wants to have but every teen could benefit from. Willow is the perfect way to have that talk, to keep the lines of communication open. To maybe use Willow’s story to help your teen through a time of healing he or she may be going through right now – to help them understand pain isn’t forever.

Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide to Parenting Beyond Belief

It sounds fun, doesn’t it? I picture my kids in flowing flowered skirts looking around at everything and being inspired by a sense of awe and wonder. My parenting skills beyond belief, i.e., amazing and desired by others.

I totally misunderstood the title, which means parenting beyond religious belief.

The directions and activities are all structured for a household where the parents are either non-religious or atheists…I’m sure agnostics are okay too.

I didn’t know this until I started reading the book, due to my total misunderstanding of the title, so it was kind of a shock when I started reading about secular humanism and atheism and how to get through the minefield of religion while your child is in the school system.

For non-religioius parents in very religious areas there are even suggestions on how to get around having daddy give your daughter a purity ring without her being looked at as the town slut. (Yep, the word slut was totally in there.)

I have to say I’m on the fence. This book deserves to exist, absolutely. I believe that books for every family should be available and that there has been an increase in non-religious households and that those people deserve good parenting advice too.

My favorite part is that they don’t try and say to shield your child from religion, in fact, they say that to avoid religion altogether is just as bad as only giving children religion as an option.

But…then there’s the stuff about evolution and some Darwin thrown in and then I cringe because being a zealot for Darwin is exactly the same as being a zealot for Jesus – zealoty. But the book isn’t steeped in it and I was able to get through that part and to the very practical exercises on how to keep your children filled with curiosity and wonder.

Most of the practical knowledge in the book is in a Q&A format which makes it easy to read in small chunks of time (with two preschoolers, I can’t sit down and read a book in 6 hours like I used to) so you can absorb as many questions as you have time for. There are extensive notes and references at the end of every chapter so you can explore more on your own, as well.

Overall, I think if you are non-religious and have kids this book has seriously practical parenting advice. If you are raising your children in religion it still has really great ideas and practical advice – if you can read it without getting all zealoty and angry that not everyone in the world believes in God or are raising their children to believe in God.

It’s your call, but I have to say, I’m glad I read the book. It gave me a lot to think about.

I have to admit, when I saw this book slide out of the envelope, it took my breath away.

Because as much as I try to stay totally unbiased when I review things, I saw that duck and wanted to give it a big hug. Doesn’t the duck look like it needs the hug? Not in a sad, pathetic way…more of a ohmygoshitssocuuuute way.

So, I was basically praying the book would be half as good as the cover art…because if the book was bad, well, the duck would cry. Then I’d cry and it would be a mess.

What it Came With

• A Beautifully illustrated book (with CD lyrics in back)
• A CD with 12 songs
• Sticker on the book indicating it received a Parents’ Choice Gold Award

My Expectations

As I mentioned in the beginning…I was totally rooting for the duck.

The Results

I cried. There, I admit it. It’s basically a totally different retelling of The Little Engine That Could. But, you know what, a cute little duck just begs for more of an emotional investment in the story than a train engine. It does for me, anyway.

I found myself saying “Yes, I can!” on the duck’s behalf.

My kids weren’t even here when I did.

Conclusion

The book is great, the CD is adorable and great for kids. It’s not a kid CD with hidden meanings to keep the adults interested, either. It’s straight-up happy-child good-tyme lyrics. From loving a hippo to planting a seed and helping it grow in a garden, this is a CD I am thrilled to play for my girls.

There are also two other phenominal Book/CD combos I was able to check out and the quality of both are beyond belief. I recommend these because the price is fantastic when you consider you’re getting a hardcover book and a full-length CD. Talk about a two-for-one deal.

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What are your favorite books to read to your little ones? Before the Duck in New York City our favorite was the Snuggle Puppy book…but the duck is the new favorite around here.