Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart

Gr 1-4-Williams's heartwarming story takes readers on the emotional roller-coaster ride that is Amber and Essie's life. Times are hard for their family-their mother works long hours, leaving them with sitters or cousins or often on their own. Worse yet, their father is in gaol. While the girls share their heartache, they also share their special talents-Essie teaches Amber to write her name in script, and Amber convinces the grocer to trust them for milk until payday. The good times are good, but the bad times are really bad. The shadow of their father's mistake is always there. Williams's spare and touching verses capture every detail with clarity, humour, and heart. While the text is accessible to children just venturing beyond easy-readers, the story has a great deal of substance for older readers as well. Black-pencil sketches are full of action and as lively as Williams's poems, and fully capture the joys and sorrows of the girls' life. Finally, when the story has ended (or perhaps just begun), readers are treated to a full-colour album of most of the high points and some of the low points the youngsters experience. A poignant testament to what it means to have a sister.

Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PA

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