Irises

Starred review from November 14, 2011
In this ethically nuanced novel, Stork (Marcelo in the Real World) thrusts a devastating choice on two strong heroines. When their strict minister father dies, two El Paso sisters, 18-year-old Kate, who dreams of going to medical school, and 16-year-old Mary, a talented painter, are left with many painful decisions. At the forefront of their minds are their mother, who has been in a persistent vegetative state for more than two years following a car accident, and their perilous financial situation. Tension escalates when the church plans to evict them, the insurance company denies their father’s policy, and Kate resists pressure to marry her dependable boyfriend. As both sisters change and open up in unexpected ways without their father’s restrictive presence, questions of faith and the girls’ differing beliefs and outlooks provide a powerful theme, further complicated when Kate raises a potentially divisive question: whether to keep their mother on life support. Stork demonstrates his customary skill in creating memorable and multidimensional characters in a story that leaves lingering, contemplative questions regarding death, survival, and love. Agent: Faye Bender Literary Agency. Ages 14–up.

November 15, 2011
Two sisters in El Paso face weighty decisions following their father's sudden death. Mary has struggled with her artistic talent since an accident left their mother in a vegetative state. Kate secretly dreams of going to Stanford to become a doctor. Neither can see an escape from the burden of their mother's constant physical needs. Nor can they see each other's perspective, a reality underscored by the third-person narrative that alternates points of view. Kate's boyfriend proposes to her, offering a way out of their financial difficulties, but she's afraid that accepting means giving up her dream. Mary is attuned to a life of faith, like their minister father, and believes that their mother will wake up someday. Kate finds it easier to accept that their mother's life is already gone, and she is the first to recognize that withdrawing life support is an option. Stork never shies away from allowing his teenage characters to deal with tough philosophical issues. His flawed supporting cast--an overzealous father, an imposing aunt, an ambitious young pastor who offers comfort to Kate and a seemingly rough boy who befriends Mary--allows the girls to sort through the complexities of human nature and come together to reach a decision regarding their mother. At times the family dynamics and symbolism seem forced, but there is plenty of poignancy in questions of faith that are raised. (Fiction. 14 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

December 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-Kate, 18, and Mary, 16, daughters of a stern Texas minister, are close but very different. Kate secretly dreams of going to Stanford for a medical degree. Artistic Mary is quiet, serious, and deeply devoted to her family, especially their mother, who is in a persistent vegetative state. When their father dies suddenly, the girls must grow up quickly. Although they have help from adults-their aunt, teachers, a social worker-they must make life-altering, wrenching decisions on their own. Stork touches on matters of faith, fidelity, and being true to oneself with gentle writing that is at times a bit stiff, but that suits the girls' upbringing. This is even addressed in the narrative when another character talks to Mary about the formality of her speech. The mutual attraction between Kate and the new minister who replaces her father is a catalyst for her to make some big changes for her family, including whether or not to end her mother's life. The girls work through such questions as what is selfishness and what is moving on with your own life, and whether there is a proper way to grieve. Although Irises covers deep topics, its slow, graceful pace never feels ponderous or overwhelming. It offers readers much to reflect on, even as its protagonists do the same.-Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2011
Grades 9-12 With Papa dead and Mama in a permanent vegetative state, sisters Mary and Kate must figure out how to deal with the many challenges in their lives. For starters, the insurance company has denied the family's medical claim and, on top of that, the church wants the parsonagetheir homefor the new minister, Papa's replacement. And Kate has been accepted to Stanford, but going away to college will be yet another hardship on the family. Stork (Marcelo in the Real World, 2009) has written a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking novel that forces Mary and Kateas well as readersto face difficult questions about life and death. The sisters must wrestle with keeping Mama alive in hopes of a miracle or making the decision to let her go. At the same time, Mary and Kate must decide if moving forward with their own lives is the right thing to do. They find no easy answers, nor will the reader, but watching them navigate all of these issues is insightful, instructive, and rewarding.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)