If you like serious books with characters who have real problems, here you go. What Jamie Saw by Carolyn Coman is realistic fiction at its most real. The father figure in Jamie’s life throws his baby sister, and Jamie saw it all. Rest assured, Jamie’s mom catches the baby, but then she takes Jamie and the baby and leaves. Jamie’s thoughts and fears are shown as he watches his mother’s reactions in the days after.
For discussion about abuse, fear, shame–this is your book. This is also a great book for an adult to see a child’s perspective on domestic violence. Voice is front and centre, so take note if you are teaching the Six + 1 Writing Traits. The prose is beautiful and the topic daring.
