From Publishers Weekly
Martin's fifth novel brings readers into the world of real, recognizable peopleboth adults and children. Through narrator Liza O'Hara, 12, we experience the seasons before and after the death of her father. Knowing he has less than a year before his heart fails, Mr. O'Hara wants his family to help him make his remaining time happy for all. Guided by their gallant mother, Liza and her teenage brother Brent involve younger sisters Carrie and Hope in planning a joyous Christmas and special days until spring. Then the father dies, a tragedy his widow and children bear with their mutual support and the kindness of friends. It's hard, though, to endure grief as well as worry over money, moving into a small house where Liza, particularly, feels cramped. She also thinks the family is disloyal to Mr. O'Hara as another Christmas approaches and she alone refuses to participate in holiday preparations. By the end of the poignant and quietly humorous story, however, Liza understands how she must live, "without you" as she had "with you."
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 Liza O'Hara's family is abruptly confronted with the news that Mr. O'Hara is dying from heart disease. After the initial shock the family unites to make his last months as enjoyable as possible including an elaborate Christmas celebration. Following his death the grieving family is burdened with financial debt which necessitates their moving from the large home that has been in the family for years into a smaller house. For 12-year-old Liza the most difficult change is facing the emptiness caused by her father's absence, which is magnified as her first holiday season without him approaches. Martin presents a sugar-coated struggle of a family enduring the terminal illness of a parent and then adjusting to his death, and the minimal amount of conflicts among family members robs a few of the characters of their credibility. Also, some of the elements fit together too neatly. However, these flaws are subdued by the author's skillful exploration of the fear, guilt and confusion that plague adolescents and young children experiencing the loss of a parent. This will be of interest to counselors and librarians, who will find it a fresh source of brief, read-aloud excerpts for group bibliotherapy, as well as to the intended audience. Cynthia K. Leibold, Anderson High School, Cincinnati
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
