Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

My Name Is River

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

It's 1983, and twelve-year-old River Starling's life is anything but normal. She was adopted on a whim and came without a birth certificate. Her adoptive parents gave her up to her grandmother when she was only two, but River is certain her parents will come back.

River's hopes fall apart when Gram uproots them from their farmhouse and decides to move to Birdsong, West Virginia, the most miserable town River has ever seen. There she makes an unlikely friendship with an unusual boy and learns about acceptance, hard work, forgiveness, and the love of Jesus.

Discover the unforgettable story of one girl's search for a place to call home.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Kirkus

      September 1, 2015
      Twelve-year-old River worries that her missing parents might not know where to find her when she and her grandmother move away from their home, but it has been 10 years, and her grandmother is determined to move forward, leaving old memories and pain behind. Their new life quickly proves her grandmother's sentiment that new things are not necessarily better or worse, just different. River meets Billy, a good-hearted son of a local preacher, who teaches her about love, forgiveness, and kindness all while introducing her to the surprising world of birds. River's grandmother is equally inspired by their relocation, giving up smoking, starting physical therapy, and agreeing to attend church. Everything seems idyllic in Birdsong, West Virginia. But when tragedy strikes, River and her grandmother witness firsthand what true love and forgiveness look like. River's calm strength and openness in the face of her difficult life make her a genuine heroine. And her kooky grandmother's colloquialisms, energy, and obvious love add a dose of humor. While there are occasional moments of overearnestness, the overall effect is successful, a genuine portrayal of a young girl following a life of faith in a world marred with tragedy. An honest look at faith and love. (Fiction. 8-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Booklist

      November 15, 2015
      Grades 4-7 When 12-year-old River Starling's grandmother moves them to Birdsong, West Virginia, near the end of the school year, River believes her chances of feeling at home are going to be slimshe knows no one, she's been abandoned by her adoptive parents and her birth mother, and her grandmother is engaging in really silly-looking exercises. But when her new classmate Billy Whippoorwill, son of the local preacher, takes her under his wing and introduces her to his family, things start looking up. River and Billy build a small bird sanctuary, and she and her grandmother join Pastor Whippoorwill's church. But when a dark turn of events changes everything, River and her grandmother will need to rely on their faith, their new friends, and the healing power of forgiveness. Dunham writes with a steady pace, and her characters, many of whom are named after birds, are generally well-rounded. Striking an interesting balance between Christian fiction and classic middle-grade realistic fiction, this will find an easy home with fans of Robin Caroll's Samantha Sanderson series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Loading