Books: Light on Snow

Light on Snow
By Anita Shreve
Copyright 2004
Audio book
6.5 hours
Read by Alyson Silverman

This is one of the better books I have read in a while. Twelve-year-old Nicky is dealing with a grieving father two years after her mother and her baby sister Clara were killed in a car wreck. Dad uprooted himself and his daughter and fled their life in New York, settling in a remote area of New Hampshire. He turned into a reclusive furniture maker who did not take a lot of baths.

Nicky settled into school and was doing her best to keep to a routine, even though her father would not allow TV or newspapers into the house (he feared bad news). They had a habit of walking in the woods after she came from school.

One snowy day in early December, they heard a cry. Following the sound, they came across an abandoned baby in a sleeping bag. Dad grabbed up the child and they hustled the little girl to a hospital.

Life took different turns from there, what with the attention of the rescue and the ensuing investigation. Also, Christmas was coming and Nicky was anticipating her grandmother's visit. A few people even dropped in to buy furniture for holiday presents.

Twelve is a strange age, a time of growing up. Add the complications of strangers and you have a coming-of-age story that should not be missed.