“Right now I want a word that describes the feeling you get—a cold, sick feeling deep down inside—when you know something is happening that will change you, and you don’t want it to, but you can’t stop it. And you know, for the first time, for the very first time, that there will now be a before and an after, a was and a will be. And that you will never again be quite the same person you were.” (p. 2)
Donnelly, Jennifer. A northern light. New York:Harcourt. 2003.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Review:
Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey loves books. She loves reading and writing and she loves words most of all—in fact, she learns a new one every day. She dreams of attending college in New York City and becoming a real writer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like she’ll have a chance to. Her family doesn’t have much money and beside, she made a promise to her mama before she died that she would look after the family. Then she gets a job at the Glenmore where she meets a guest by the name of Grace Brown. Grace gives her a bundle of letters and makes Mattie promise to burn them, but before she has a chance to, Grace’s body is found in the lake. Now, Mattie wonders if it’s always best to keep all the promises you have made.
This award-winning novel takes place in 1906 and adding to the intrigue of the novel, the murder—and letters—of Grace Brown that are described are real (an author’s note at the end even gives reader’s details about the actual case as well as names of resources for further reading). The author weaves a compelling story that incorporates themes of love, family, hope, and dreams. Overall, a remarkable novel.