Monday, September 15, 2008


Title: Carry me Home

Author: Sandra Kring

In ten words or less: Coming of age story set in 1940s Wisconsin.

Review:
“Carry Me Home” is set in a small Wisconsin town during the 1940s. Earl “Earwig” Gunderman suffered from a fever as a small child, and as a result of brain damage, never learned to read or write. He helps out at this parents’ grocery store and his protected by his older brother Jimmy. The story begins in 1940, when Jimmy falls in love with Molly, the prettiest girl in town. Earwig’s social life revolves around his family, his dog Lucky, and a younger neighbor Eddie.
When the United States enters the war, Jimmy and many of his friends enlist in the armed forces. Many families in town put up flags in their windows with stars on them—one blue star for each son in the military. Earwig watches the star intently, because he knows that if the star turns gold, it will mean that Jimmy is dead.
In addition to worrying about Jimmy, the war puts stress on the Gundermans in other ways. The ration coupons put a strain on the family store, and Earwig discovers a long hidden secret of his mother’s.
Earwig’s unique voice is similar to that of Christopher, the narrator of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Kring is a Wisconsin author, and “Carry Me Home” is her first novel.

Why bother? Touching story of family members that help each other through difficult times.

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