Reviewed By Michelle
Stanley for Readers’ Favorite
Jane Ellen Freeman has written a lovely story for preteens called Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel. After Jeremiah’s father died, he tries to be more responsible by helping his mother with the chores. His mother, a nurse, often leaves before Jeremiah wakes and returns after he gets home from school. The eight-year-old misses his father so much, and worries about his mother that he begins to forget minor things. While at school, a very tiny man with a red mustache and a shiny bald spot on his head appears out of nowhere and tells Jeremiah that he is his guardian angel. Angus McDermit’s duty is to watch over him, and Jeremiah soon begins to tell this odd-looking man his problems. He knows his mother misses his dad too, and wonders why he had to die and leave them.
Kids display their emotions in many ways after losing a parent. Jane Ellen Freeman creates a thought provoking portrayal of this in Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel. She shows how Jeremiah matured by his thoughtful actions at home, and how forgetful he was with certain school activities. He worried a lot, but did not think the adults around him noticed. The story is also educational as the author included a very informative tour of a fort, which I enjoyed as much as Jeremiah. Her characters are nice, and Angus was definitely a comfort and gentle guiding light in Jeremiah’s life. I recommend this book to preteens, knowing they will enjoy it.
Jane Ellen Freeman has written a lovely story for preteens called Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel. After Jeremiah’s father died, he tries to be more responsible by helping his mother with the chores. His mother, a nurse, often leaves before Jeremiah wakes and returns after he gets home from school. The eight-year-old misses his father so much, and worries about his mother that he begins to forget minor things. While at school, a very tiny man with a red mustache and a shiny bald spot on his head appears out of nowhere and tells Jeremiah that he is his guardian angel. Angus McDermit’s duty is to watch over him, and Jeremiah soon begins to tell this odd-looking man his problems. He knows his mother misses his dad too, and wonders why he had to die and leave them.
Kids display their emotions in many ways after losing a parent. Jane Ellen Freeman creates a thought provoking portrayal of this in Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian Angel. She shows how Jeremiah matured by his thoughtful actions at home, and how forgetful he was with certain school activities. He worried a lot, but did not think the adults around him noticed. The story is also educational as the author included a very informative tour of a fort, which I enjoyed as much as Jeremiah. Her characters are nice, and Angus was definitely a comfort and gentle guiding light in Jeremiah’s life. I recommend this book to preteens, knowing they will enjoy it.
“Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian
Angel,” by Jane Ellen Freeman, is about eight-year-old Jeremiah,
who is dealing with the loss of his firefighter father. Jeremiah’s
mother works as a nurse so she’s not always there when he gets home
from school. He has his own key and waits for his mother to get home
(a neighbor watches out for him from next door.)
In this story, Jeremiah has a special
helper in the form of Angus McDermit, his guardian angel. Angus
guides Jeremiah to make the right decisions—and to do as his mother
taught him. Still, Jeremiah is sorely tested. He wants to practice
lighting a fire with a flint he got on a field trip. He’s supposed
to wait until his mother comes home. That’s his trial. Will he make
the right decision? Or will he put himself in danger.
Ms. Freeman’s book will give parents
and teachers important things to discuss with their children, such
as: What if you’re home alone, do all the rules still apply? What
can you do when adults aren’t there? What should you do? When you
make a promise, you give your word—how good is your word? We want
our kids to be able to make good decisions when we’re not around.
We’re teaching them to be independent, but when are they old enough
to make the right or best decisions, especially dangerous ones?
Ms. Freeman’s book is well-written,
and very readable. Kids will enjoy the school scenes and Jeremiah
interacting with Angus McDermit. He and his mother have a special
relationship that comes through well. Eric Hammond’s illustrations
add humor and lightness. This book is intended for ages seven to 10.
“Jeremiah Lucky and the Guardian
Angel” is published by www.guardianangelpublishing.com
and is available from www.amazon.com.
More information on Jane Ellen Freeman
is at
Reviewed by:
Penelope Anne Cole, Award Winning
Author of
Magical Matthew, Mágico
Mateo (Spanish), Magical Matthew, and Ten Little
Tricksters
Coming soon: Magica Mea
(Spanish)
