(55)Labor Day by Joyce Maynard -- On Sale July 28, 2009

Thursday, July 2, 2009



I am officially on vacation! And that makes Labor Day the first book of my vacation. My goal is to read one book a day while on vacation. So let me tell you about the first book.


Labor Day is a story set in the late summer of 1987. It is the story of thirteen year old Henry, and his mother, Adele. They live a life of virtual solitude. On one of their rare trips to the local department store, Henry is approached by a man with blood dripping down his leg. He asks Henry to take him to his mother.


The man is Frank. Frank has just escaped from the local prison. Over the next few days Henry lives the life that he has always wanted. Frank easily steps into the role of "Man of the House". From household chores to teaching Henry how to make the perfect peach pie Frank endears himself to the broken family & the captives become the willing.

The story is told from Henry's perspective. His observations of his mother & Frank, well of life in general are made through the burgeoning hormones that only thirteen year old boys experience. He is torn between happiness and solitude. Torn between his mother's happiness and his own. Will this story have a happy ending? Or will their lives forever be ruined the the escaped convict that came into their lives one hot summer day.

Joyce Maynard has written a unique coming of age story. She takes you into the intimate world of Henry, Adele, and Frank. It is such a unique story and you will find yourself questioning what you know of all of the "hardened" convicts of the world. Labor Day is a touching, tender story that will warm your heart in a very short time, making it hard for you to put the book down.

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