Bryant, Jen. Pieces of Georgia. Knopf, 2006. ISBN 0375932593. $15.99. 166 p.
Reviewer: Marsha D. Broadway
Reading Level: Intermediate
Rating: Excellent
Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction;
Subject: Grief--Juvenile fiction; Fathers and daughters--Juvenile fiction; Books--Reviews;
Thirteen year-old Georgia is artistic; so was her mother. Both she and her father are still grieving. At the request of the school counselor, Georgia writes journal entries to her mother, who died when Georgia was seven. Then a benefactor gives her a free membership to the Brandywine River Museum. Through art and free verse Georgia gains understanding of her loss, herself, her parents, and her best friend. Mourning the death of a parent may take years of adapting to the loss. This book, with its sparse words and vivid emotions, will capture young readers from a wide audience and could be useful in bibliotheraphy.
