Uncle Daddy

May 1, 2001
Gr 4-6-A reassuring picture of forgiveness and acceptance within a family. Rivers has been raised by his mother and great-uncle, "Uncle Daddy," ever since his father went out to get a pizza and never came back. The boy's life is fairly typical of that of other nine-year-olds-until his father returns after a six-year absence. Then, anger, resentment, confusion, insecurity, and torn loyalties threaten to overwhelm the family. When Uncle Daddy suffers a near-fatal heart attack, Rivers and his parents come together in support and concern and the older man's physical healing parallels the relatives' emotional healing. The one-big-happy-family conclusion may come about a bit too quickly to be completely convincing, but youngsters will welcome it. While Uncle Daddy seems too good to be true, Rivers's parents are more multidimensional characters and the child's interactions with friends and his conflicted emotions concerning his father are portrayed realistically. This is not a first purchase, but it will appeal to readers who want an alternative to the grim realism of much contemporary fiction.-Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2001
Gr. 4-6. Nine-year-old Rivers' family configuration lacks a biological father, but "Uncle Daddy," his mother's uncle, is a loving, fun, and very active father substitute. When Rivers' dad, who went out for a pizza six years ago and never came back, shows up unexpectedly, Rivers, his mother, and Uncle Daddy are shocked, angry, confused and unsure as to how to open the family circle wider, or indeed, if they should accept the renegade dad. Uncle Daddy suffers a near-fatal heart attack, and Rivers' parents come together in support of their boy and his great uncle and begin a more healthy relationship together. The happy ending is rather quickly resolved, but the issues of resentment and forgiveness are beautifully handled. Rivers' parents are wonderfully drawn, warts and all. This refreshingly gentle and reassuring portrait of family dynamics will appeal to those who eschew grim contemporary realism.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)