"Heart of a Shepherd" by Rosanne Parry

I chose to review this book because it appeared this year on the 6th-8th grade list for Oregon Battle of the Books.

Heart of a Shepherd
Author: Rosanne Parry
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9-12 years

SUMMARY
Ignatius, affectionately known as Brother, is going on 12 years old. With four older brothers either in school or military training camp and a father who has been deployed to Iraq, it becomes Brother's responsibility to take care of the family ranch in Eastern Oregon. He has the help of his grandparents and a hired hand, but it is still a tough job. Brother is not sure he even likes ranching - there is too much death and suffering - but he is anxious to prove that he can handle it. In the end, he experiences an unexpected trial that points him in the direction of his calling in life.

CRITIQUE

This coming-of-age story is refreshing in the sense that most of the characters are committed to doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. Brother, in particular, is a boy of true integrity - honest, hard-working, dependable, and loyal. The author also paints a wonderful picture of true community, both physical and spiritual.

Ms. Parry is a first-time novelist, and at times the writing betrays her inexperience. The narrative tone and pacing of the book are awkward in parts. I also felt that the character development was a bit inconsistent.

The bottom line is that, despite some difficulties with the writing style, I would recommend this book because it is a healthy picture of a boy with good male role models guiding him on the path toward becoming a man of character.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: None
Frightening/Suspenseful: Mild
Profanity: Mild
Sex: None
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: Mild
Violence: Mild

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Brother, Ernesto, and Grandpa are threatened to be engulfed by a wildfire. 

Profanity:
-One use of the word "s--t." 

Substance Use:
-Older brothers drink some whiskey.
-Paco's mother smokes a cigarette. 

Mature Themes:
-War

Violence:
-Father is sent off to Iraq war where reports come back of people dying.
-Paco's father returns from Iraq having lost a leg.
-Brothers get into a fight which ends with one of them needing stitches.
-Brother and other children play "war" in schoolyard and kids "die."