The Spirit Window

by Joyce Sweeney

A trip to Florida that is meant to heal the rift between her father and her grandmother forces both fifteen-year-old Miranda and her father to face feelings they have long suppressed

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Joyce Sweeney captured the attention of the YA book world when her novel Center Line was chosen as the winner of the first Delacorte Press Prize for an Outstanding First Young Adult Novel in 1984. Since that auspicious beginning she has continued to publish appealing novels for teens on a variety of topics, among them friendships, family relationships, and self-discovery. Four of those novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults, four have been Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and Booklist included Players among its Top Ten Sports Books in 2002.

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently re-read "The Spirit Window" by Joyce Sweeney, and it reminded me why it was one of my favorite books when I was younger. Beautifully told story of a 15-year old girl (Miranda) who travels to Florida one summer with her father and stepmother to her grandmother's home in the marshes. During this time, Miranda not only meets her grandmother for the first time in her life, she also meets Adam, a Native American boy who lives with and helps her grandmother. But when tragic events occur, it thrusts Miranda in a whirlwind not only stirring up family drama, but memories and feelings that she has to come to terms with as it all unravels.

I love Joyce Sweeney's honest and vivid prose here, and like much of her books, she inspired me to want to write books of my own for how easily she slips into her sense of place, emotions, and characterizations. Even several years later, this book holds a place in my favorites bookshelf. I would definitely recommend it for a nice, quick summer read for those who love coming of age/life stories with just a bit more.

Overall score: 4/5

[Maria Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. But I got the most worked up when the father started throwing a tantrum, although I'm glad they worked things out at the end. It reminded me of how I can trust my father but since we don't have communication going on even with trust when the time comes I might not even be able to confide in him. Overall this book was great although I would have loved to know if the girl and the boy ended up together or not.

[Kareen Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love love the setting in this book: the marsh, the birds, the cat and all the other animals. I love the themes of family, betrayal and compromise. The ritual to remember Jasmine and Lila is quite memorable as well. However, I do not like that the main character is fifteen and have a relationship with an older boy. This book is for young readers who are quite impressionable so I did not like that part. But the book is wonderful with characters like Lila (who does not spend a long time in the presence of the reader) but she sparkles and shines. Adam is so human and so is Ari. Their stories being quite similar: Ari running away from a man she clearly does not understand and Adam fleeing a father who does not understand him.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m still trying to decide what I think of this. I like the grandmother and her developing relationship with her granddaughter, the protagonist, and with her young helper and tenant. I like the emphasis on and role of nature in the story.

Lack of communication, drinking, greed, regressing when returning to a childhood home, racism, supposedly mature people (one a professional counselor) acting like jackasses sadly makes this very realistic.

The teens being more mature than the adults, the interactions with the birds and other elements lend a different air.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book over all it is written well, one that you don't want to put down, but one thing was that i finished the book in one day i think it could have been longer

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book when I was younger.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written, entertaining. What more can you ask for?

[SheRa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very teenage girl read. I probably wouldn't read this again now. The ending isn't very good and the romance in it is very young even for teens.