Edward's Eyes

Jake's first memory is of the day he was 3 years old, and Maeve and Jack brought baby Edward home. Maeve placed Edward in Jake's arms, Edward opened his eyes--"the dark mud blue of the night sky with specks of gold"--and Jake fell in love. This small, poetic story sings of baseball, family, loss, and life. As Milo Ventimiglia portrays Jake reflecting on his brother with the extraordinary eyes, his voice is full of the amazement and awe Jake feels in contemplating the miracle that was Edward's life. The simple acoustic guitar melody that introduces and closes the story enhances the atmosphere Ventimiglia creates. See the world anew through Edward's (extraordinary) eyes. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 10, 2007
Ventimiglia's soft voice and smooth delivery capture all the notes of fun, sadness and eventually, emergent hope that fill MacLachlan's novel about the powerful bonds of a family's love. Through the flashback memories of Jake, listeners meet Jake's younger brother, the strikingly blue-eyed Edward, a standout in their ever-expanding family for his baseball pitching prowess, his good humor and his ability to “see” signs that other people often miss. Listeners will discern early on that something must have happened to Edward, as Jake's reverent narration—which sometimes sounds wise beyond his years—creates a portrait of a boy who seems to be somewhere else. As the story unfurls, listeners learn Edward's heartbreaking fate and how his family copes. Having tissues on hand for some of the latter chapters may be a good idea, though the tale closes on an uplifting note. Ages 8-up.