Signs & Wonders

by Pat Lowery Collins

A funny and moving tale, completely told through letters, follows the life-changing metamorphosis undergone by fourteen-year-old Taswell, a lonely boarding school girl desperate to find love and a caring family. A first novel.

Genres: Young Adult

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 1999

About the author

Pat Lowery Collins is the author of many acclaimed novels and picture books. She was inspired to write HIDDEN VOICES when she learned that Antonio Vivaldi wrote countless concertos to showcase the talents of orphan girls — and snare husbands for a lucky few. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Malarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit hard to get into at first as you are reading letters for the story line. Once you get into it though it isn’t so bad.

[Angélique (Angel) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of interesting. I did find that most of the characters were somewhat annoying, though the adults more so. Not that I'm excusing Taswell's behavior, but it's more understandable for a teen to be a brat than for adults to be utterly clueless and self-absorbed when it comes to taking care of a teenager they've known her entire life. It's kind of sad. The ending was nice, I suppose.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story told in letters about a girl in a convent school who believes she's pregnant (but she's not) and will give birth to a prophet. Sort of reminded me of the movie "Agnes of God".

[m. · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a weird book. It's stuck with me, though -- and if I ever have a son I'm naming him Taswell.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting format and a smooth, easy read, even if the ending was a bit abrupt for the build-up.