When I held my second child, my first son, a thought struck me: When he grows up, there could be a war.
This innocent life in my arms and the horror of war were ideas that did not go together. I would hold two more infant sons, but the idea of war would not pass through my mind at those early moments of getting to know each other.
My oldest son never went to war. The other two, in varying capacities, did.
We seldom see ahead of time how things will work out. I’m glad I didn’t spend 20 plus years of each soldier son’s life wondering about their deployments. My assumptions would likely have been for naught.
A very good book leads us to a similar place. And Wolf Hollow is that very good book.
Placing the opening lines on the front cover was a masterful marketing touch by the publisher because the words draw us in. The proof is in the book’s status as a New York Times bestseller.
Here’s a portion of those first lines: “The year I turned twelve, I learned how to lie. The year I turned twelve, I learned what I said and did mattered.”
Annabelle is the soon-to-be-twelve-year-old who lies to protect someone from a false accusation. She tells lies to produce truth. She also learns enough about war to fear someday becoming the mother of sons.
I waited for one character to change, but she didn’t. I thought another character would not change, but she did.
We have to be careful about our assumptions when we read fiction.
The society looked upon one character with regard. They shouldn’t have. They looked at another character with disdain. They should not have.
We have to be careful about our assumptions in real life too.
But the lesson about assumptions is not the only reason to read the book–even if you are usually not inclined to read in the young adult genre.
Author Lauren Wolk is a masterful character builder, and she exemplifies storytelling at its best. I stayed up later than I wanted to a couple of nights because I couldn’t put the book down.
Few books have engaged me that well. Others that come to mind include John Steinbeck’s East of Eden and Leif Enger’s Peace like a River.
Both books carried me to the very last word and left me with a sense of satisfaction. This book does the same.
All three books satisfy readers without sugar coating life or their imperfect characters.
Today we find ourselves in a world stamped with injustice. Annabelle inhabited such a world.
This book invites us into her world. The world of small community America during a big war, World War II. But the wounds of World War I still resonate.
Annabelle is a farm girl with two younger brothers who all live with their parents, grandparents, and a cranky aunt.
She meets bullies at school. She meets a strange man in the woods. She should fear one but not the other.
The book covers a matter of days. But by the end, Annabelle is a young woman. (She was a character I expected to change who did.)
Like us as we grow older, Annabelle learns things she wishes she could forget. She never will.
She will carry those things with her into her later years.
We will carry them with us too and be the better for it.
Great piece, Nancy. The assumptions we make are often incorrect. That book, Wolf Hollow, is a favorite of my daughter’s!
I’m glad my daughter found it. I’m sure her daughter will like it too. Thanks, Jessica. God bless!
Powerful quote:
“We have to be careful about our assumptions in real life too.”
Thank you, Ava. God bless!
Interesting. I have not read that book and now, I want to read the story.
I’d love to know what you think of it. Thanks, Melissa. God bless!
It is certainly true that our assumptions can misrepresent reality and misdirect our steps. Thank you.
Thanks, Stephen. God bless!
Nancy, you’ve intrigued me. Thanks for introducing this book.
Happy reading, Debbie. Thanks and God bless!
In premarital counseling, we’re leaning much about assumptions and how innocent assumptions and expectations can damage relationships. I think the same is true in our relationship with God. War, sickness, and grief can invade, causing us to doubt the God we trusted would spare us from such things. But he uses trials to draw us closer!
Great wisdom there, Candice. My assumptions still get me into trouble. Thanks and God bless!
Your description makes the book really appealing to me especially since our oldest granddaughter is named Annabelle. I will check it out. Thanks Nancy.
I really hope your Annabelle enjoys the book too. Thanks, Yvonne, and God bless!
This book sounds amazing, Nancy. I normally don’t read YA fiction, but I read a series by Beckie Lindsey, “Beauty from Ashes,” and it changed how I look at spiritual warfare.
My daughter recommended the book to me. She reads a good deal of YA. Thanks, Karen. God bless!
I have been looking for a good book for a while. This one sounds captivating!
It’s a wonderful read, Jessie. Enjoy! Thanks and God bless!
Such an important truth. Things and people are not always as they appear outwardly. May we seek the Lord for His compassion and truth and remember, God sees all and knows all. We do not.
Amen, Melissa. Thanks and God bless!
This is an intriguing book review. I love reading YA fiction, and you’ve captured my imagination. I’m going to have to check out this book. Thank you for sharing your review in such a way that you entice the reader without giving too much away.
Happy reading, Melinda. Thanks and God bless!