BEHIND THESE HANDS: A Review and Giveaway

I am blessed with amazing writer friends whose stories inspire my writing. This week I am pleased to share BEHIND THESE HANDS by my writing buddy, Linda Phillips. Some of you may remember the cover reveal and when I blogged about Linda's unique path to publication for this book, which is her second novel in verse. Now you can glimpse inside this beautifully written upper-middle grade/young adult novel. 

But first, an update from Linda:

"Since the publication of BEHIND THESE HANDS in 2018, I have had the opportunity to share the keynote address at the National BDSRA (Batton Disease Support and Research Association) along with Laura King Edwards, whose younger sister, Taylor, partly inspired this story. Sadly, both Taylor and the other inspiring student whom I taught, Brandon Hawkins, have succumbed to this dreadful disease. Their legacy lives on through the work of the foundation, Taylor's Tale, and other foundations supported by BDSRA. Many thanks to my publisher, Light Messages, for keeping the fire going through this opportunity for my ebook to be selected as a Kindle Monthly deal through the month of June.  I hope you enjoy the read, and I always love hearing your feedback:  https://www.lindavigenphillips.com/contact/"

REVIEW

Fourteen-year-old music prodigy, Claire Fairchild, is headed toward a music competition. Her only worry is if she takes first place over her best friend Juan--who is actually proving to be more than "just a friend." The book opens with Claire's piano practice interrupted by her younger brother Davy who is visually impaired and recently diagnosed with a learning disorder. He smiles a lot and Claire thinks, 

It bothers me that he smiles so much, 

maybe because it doesn't seem normal; 

maybe because I know for sure  

if I were in his shoes 

my smile would be the first to go.  (p.6)

This is her first attempt to write down the music she has composed for the competition:

"The Kite" takes off 

in the dead silent stillness 

of this tiny room 

as if the breezes were driving  

through these walls, 

and I chase it with the melody 

that has gelled in my brain 

these weeks of practice, 

experimentation, 

frustration, 

doubts, 

and now 

certainty 

and  

exhilaration. 

I slide on the bench  

to the little table, 

and begin the task of setting down the notes 

that are strung across my brain, 

ready to pluck down 

like washing on a clothesline. (p. 15)

Into the middle of her preparation she is constantly interrupted by her parents' worries about Davy, his medical tests, her need to watch both brothers while her parents work, and her own self-doubts, comes devastating news: 

The suspense is over. 

Our house feels like 

those pictures you see 

after a tornado levels        

              everything 

but the victims are alive, 

shuffling around the debris 

in a daze. 

It's called Batten disease. 
.....
and  

it's going to get worse.  (pp. 31-32)

In heart-wrenching verse Linda leaves nothing to the imagination as Claire and her family reel from the news that truly does get worse: Davy will die from the disease, Claire is unable to concentrate on practice, she wants to give up music altogether because it feels meaningless, she is pummeled with guilt, her father won't talk about the diagnosis within the family, everyone acts like their family is normal when it is anything but, her mother is coming unraveled from lack of sleep and worry, and a cooling off with Juan that she can't explain--these are all more than Claire can bear.

Batten has rearranged our family 

like pieces of familiar furniture 

placed awkwardly in a new setting. (p.72)

When genetic testing reveals that her other brother, Trent, also has Batten, Claire finds out devastating news about herself:

What does that mean          

what she just said?                        

                      Carrier? 

What does that mean? 

I put my head in my hands 

seriously feeling faint now, 

nauseous, 

miles away as if I had just stepped          

                    out

of my own body. (pp 96-97)

Into the middle of this devastation steps Claire's best friend, Mia, who drags her along on a journalism assignment. Together, they befriend  Mrs. Shepherd, an elderly woman who shares her past sorrows as well as her wish that she had celebrated life more. This, along with attending the Batten Disease conference with her father, gives Claire the tools and drive to regain purpose and a plan to combat "the beast." 

I know I'll find a way to help my brothers. 

I know that wasting my time feeling sorry for myself                 

                       needs to be a feather      

                       not a rock.

I know that celebrating life needs to be a rock      

                       not a feather.

I know it might not be a bad day after all      

                       if I keep this up. (p.199)

BEHIND THESE HANDS doesn't cut corners or pretend something is pretty when it isn't. Batten Disease cuts short the life of young people and leaves families devastated by pain and loss. But it is the story of a brave young woman who faces it head-on and learns to celebrate the life of her two young brothers. In the end, she, Juan, and Mia meet with her parents to plan a fundraiser for Batten research. Other friends come to the house singing one of Mrs. Shepherd's favorite songs, "This Land is Your Land."

We all join in. 

Out of the corner of my eye 

I see Davy and Trent sitting at the top 

of the stairs, 

smiling and clapping. 

Mom brings them down and we finish the song.

"Are we having a party?" 

Davy says.

"Yeah," Trent says, rubbing his eyes, 

"How come you didn't invite us?"

All eyes fall on me.  

"This is just a preview, guys, 

the first of many

          and you will be invited

       to every single one of them.

I promise." (p. 288-9)

***********

GIVEAWAY

 

This book belongs in the classroom and will help readers gain empathy for those facing severe medical difficulties.  As Linda demonstrates in two scenes where bullies tease her brothers; it is often easy to pick on those who are weak. If you are a librarian or teacher let me know in the comments; I'll put your name in twice. I will pick a winner on June 7 and Linda will autograph a copy of the book. Please, U.S. addresses only.  

Make sure you check out Greg Pattridge's wonderful ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE blog with other middle grade recommendations.