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Mara’s life is filled with secrets, even at the tender age of nine. Some are her own and can never be mentioned. Others are about her and seem to be known by everyone around her, but never told to her desperately hurting heart. The radio disc jockey, known only as Denim, knows more than he’s able to say from his secret location. Perhaps if she figures out who he is she’ll be able to find out the answers she longs to hear. With her friend Camilla by her side, she decides to take on the mysteries to see what she can learn. All while avoiding General’s evil eyes.
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“Watching the Tree Limbs” will rip your heart out. Mary E. DeMuth takes the life of this little nine-year-old, Mara, and makes her come alive. You’ll want to hug her, fight for her and protect her from all the troubles in her little world. Mara goes through so much emotional turmoil that she finds it very hard to see a Heavenly Father as good, yet her little heart desperately longs for His love.
The story is very well done while dealing with heavy issues which affect so many children and adults. I caution readers who have sustained abuse to read all the reviews you can before getting this book. There is abuse of a child, handled skillfully with compassion and without going into more detail than necessary to give the emotional foundation for the main character, Mara.
Supporting characters are believable. Some you will love while others will stir up deep anger for the injustices we’ve all heard about. “Watching the Tree Limbs” puts a face to those injustices.
This is not a book for younger readers. I would have to suggest it be for adults only due to the content and situations tackled by Mary DeMuth. While done well, younger readers may not have the emotional maturity to handle what they will read.
An excellent portrayal of abuse in childhood, “Watching the Tree Limbs” gets a high recommendation.
Reviewed by Allison M. Wilson
for The Road to Romance
April 8, 2006
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