In Memory of Dad by Maranda Russell

In Memory of Dad by Maranda Russell
Published by Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B005JQBIII
Genre: Children's Fiction

About The Author: (Author Page - Author Website):


Maranda is a 28 year old foster parent and writer. She is currently in the process of getting her first picture book published.

Author's Website: http://marandarussell.com/


Disclaimer: At the request of the author, a Kindle e-book edition of this book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.


Amazon.com Book Description:


Kaley Jergins loved her life. She had it all, the perfect family, good friends, and the talent and passion to be a great basketball player. However, when tragedy strikes and the person she loves most of all is no longer there, will she ever be able to play again?

Told with warmth and feeling this story comes from an author who knows what it is like to deal with loss at a young age. Nothing is ever the same after a tragic loss, but maybe life can go on. Includes an afterword by the author about grief and how to deal with it in a healthy way.


My Book Review:




In Memory of Dad is a beautifully written short story for children dealing with the loss of a loved one, how they are not alone in their grief, and how life can go on with good memories of their loved one always in their heart.

The story is about Kaley Jergins, a fourth grader, who has a special relationship with her father, they both share a passion for playing basketball. Kaley's dad Kyle, used to play basketball when he was in school, and Kaley dreamed of following in his footsteps. One cold January night, Kaley's father suffered a fatal heart attack. Nothing would ever be the same again in her life! She tried to go on with her life, but everything reminded her of her dad. She started skipping basketball practices and games, and after a month went by she officially quit the team. She really missed playing ball and her teammates, but without her dad there to cheer her on, she just couldn't do it anymore, it had always been "their" thing. She felt empty and alone, she kept to herself at school, wishing there was a way she could still be on the team and be around her friends, but without her dad to share it with, it just didn't feel right. She wished she could go back in time to when everything in her life was fine. It took Drea, a friend and captain of the basketball team and her teammates, to show Kaley that she isn't alone, and that she could go forward with her life and still have the memory of her dad in her heart.

The author wrote a beautifully heartfelt story based loosely on her own real experience of losing her dad at the age of twelve. This story was written from her heart, and she so eloquently expresses her message and lesson that through dealing with loss and grief, your life will go on, and that your loved one will always be in your heart. Her message is so easily expressed, that young children will be able to understand and learn from it. She reinforces her message in a very thoughtful and educational way in an Author's Note at the end of the book.




RATING: 4 STARS ****