Many Stones

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Summary: Many Stones
Review: "Home? If I were there right now, I'd reach for my pile of stones." In this story, Berry Morgan uses stones as a relief method, by placing them on her stomach, especially since she has a tough family life. Her mother, who tutors mentally challenged kids how to read, write, and talk, is the only normal person in her family. Her father lives in California with his girlfriend, and her sister, Laura who was in South Africa helping the children down there.... Well, she is dead. She was brutally murdered, only a year before Barry and her father go to South Africa for her memorial service.
One day, Barry's Father turns-up at her home is Washington DC, and has asked Berry to come to South Africa with him for Laura's Memorial Service. Barry goes, but with a major chip on her shoulder. Barry has a major problem with her father barging in on her life and wanting her to come with him on an adventure in an unknown country. While they are there for 11 days, her father has planned a little more than just the memorial service. They go to Cape Town, Kruger National Park, and a little bed and breakfast. She is really snippy with her father, and they really don't get along together will at all. But as the trip goes on, the two of them learn their differences and get along better each day. This book is about how two people learn to get along better and as the days that they are together stacks up.. I would recommend this book for kids older than 12, and even adults, because it is a good book and I would reread it any time, that's how good it is.

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Summary: an enthralling novel
Review: in need of a subject for a book report, i came across this book while searching through my school library. little did i know the depth this book possessed. the author, carolyn coman, has an amazing ability to create rich characters that are extremely realistic. berry's struggles and changing attitudes toward her life make for a very interesting read. the novel is almost depressing in a way. while berry has to learn to live with her tragedy, the reader does as well, and its very easy to dive deep into this novel. it's rather short, and probably could have been longer, but power isnt always judged by size.

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Summary: A book about forgiveness
Review: Many Stones is a multi-layered tale about forgiveness, a process that needs to occur at both the political and personal levels in this incredibly well-told book. Berry is angry, most especially at her father, who has moved 3000 miles away from his family. Now the two of them are on their way to South Africa, ostensibly to participate in a memorial service for Berry's sister, Laura, who went to South Africa to do charity work but who wound up the victim of random violence. When she was alive, Laura was the "favorite" daughter, the daughter that Berry always felt second fiddle to whenever she was in the company of her father and Laura. Berry's father wants to use the trip as an opportunity for him and Berry to make amends, to forgive one another for the wounds they've each inflicted. But, Berry is resistant to doing so. She's just too angry. But, as any student of current events knows, South Africa provides a tremendous example of the power of forgiveness. Berry is over there during the meetings of the Truth Commission, and speaks to a number of people who explain to her that knowing the truth is more valuable than punishing wrong-doers. Thus, the families of victims have chosen to trade forgiveness for knowledge, not revenge. Berry's father obviously hopes his daughter will be so moved to provide the same to him, but as you can imagine, a teenaged girl, who is in pain from a variety of hurts, is not going to be easy to convince. The language of this book is sparse and beautiful. I'm pleased that it was nominated for a National Book Award--deservedly so for taking on such a complex topic and handling it so brilliantly. One last note: There is not a lot of fiction out there that deals with the relationships between fathers and daughters. This is an especially good look at the complexities of those bonds.