Abbie's Woods: Defending the Nest, (Paperback)

This is a middle grade book. Abbie's Woods: Defending the Nest that is written by Susan Thogerson Maas. My 10 year old son, who is in 5th grade and I read this book together. This book has some really well written characters. The author also took a tough issue and worked through it in a way that kids could understand. We also loved the lesson that the book taught. It was easy to read and follow. Our main character, Abbie Keegan is twelve years old. She loves to spend time outside in the quiet watching the baby birds. Her home life is not the greatest. Her parents argue a lot. To Abbie, the woods is her safe place. Her safe place becomes interrupted by boys who start to harm the nature and disrupt the silence. Abbie tries to do the right thing and stop the boys, but this seems to anger them and they become more destructive. As a mom, my heart went out to Abbie. The poor kid was going through so much, I wish that I could just reach through the book and hug her. Abbie in her safe place, talks to God. She asks HIM to help her with everything. She wants help with her parents to stop fighting, her little brother, etc. She tries to come up with ways to raise money to send her parents on a getaway so they will not end up divorced. I love that she is twelve years old, and listening to God. This is a great book to add to a middle school collection. It helps deal with some tough issues, and shows forgiveness, second chances, and God's grace. The author deals with it in a way that kids that are in this age group can understand. The characters are well developed. The story line is engaging. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.