Listen

Sourland Mountain Series #2

by Kristin McGlothlin

Thirteen-year-old Gwilym Duckworthy has a supportive family consisting of his dad, stepmom Ferguson, grandma, aunt and uncle, and his older siblings, sister Bex and brother Clay. His best friends, Cat and Hattie (who is also his cousin), live on either side of him. He’s going to learn how to play the trumpet, and he has a job delivering Cat’s uncle Hal’s produce. His life is good. Listen opens on Thanksgiving day—Gwilym’s favorite holiday. It’s a day he can spend with his family and friends playing their annual football game and scavenger hunt. What could go wrong? Maybe a call from his mom—the one family member who left them when he was three years old? She is going to be in town with her jazz band to play two nights at Princeton University. Why has she decided to contact only him? Should Gwilym meet with her without his sister and brother? Does he want to know why she left them? The second book in the Sourland Mountain series, Listen delves into the issue of abandonment and how through forgiveness or acceptance the characters find out they are more alike than unalike.

146 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a poignant and hopeful book for children. Gwilym Duckworthy, 13, has a lovely family and a heart still broken after his mother left him and his sibs to join a jazz band. I loved the quirky characters, the healing reconciliation with the prodigal mom after 10 years, and discussions of the link between art, music, and creativity. A charming tale not long enough (146 pages). Thankfully, another title in this Sourland Mountain Series comes out in the fall, so the story goes on. Hurrah!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 04 May 2021
#Listen #NetGalley

Thanks to author Kristin McGlothlin, Girl Friday Productions, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from GoodReads First Reads.
A story that many young teens and tweens should read. It explains and validates children’s feelings and reactions to the desertion by their mother and her attempt to become a part of their lives again after 10 years of silence.