Children's Literature @ NYPL

Booktalking "The Sundown Rule" by Wendy Townsend

Louise's mother is out of the picture, and her dad is on a writing assignment for National Geographic in Brazil. She finds herself staying with Aunt Kay and Uncle Jack for the summer. The best thing there is Sarah, a girl who lives near her aunt and uncle's place. Louise goes to church with her, and Sarah seems to understand everything that Louise is going through.

Louise shares her love of wildlife with Sarah. She enables her to hold a snake. She catches frogs and puts them in her bathtub. Communing with Mother Nature allows Louise to forget any pain or discord that is going on in her life. She can simply focus on the beauty of nature and its allure.

Cash, Louise's cat, accompanied her on walks in the woods. However, Aunt Kay is allergic to animals. Louise misses Cash dearly and wonders if anything will fill that void in her life.

The Sundown Rule by Wendy Townsend, 2010

Reading about Louise's cat, Cash, reminded me of my cat, Gift.