Under the Shadow of Wings

by Sara Harrell Banks

In a small Southern town at the end of World War II, eleven-year-old Tattnall cares for Obie, her developmentally disabled cousin, and when Obie's actions lead to his death, Tattnall must cope with her loss.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

About the author

Sara Harrell Banks won the 1997 Georgia Author of the Year award for "Under the Shadow of Wings." This novel was also an "American Bookseller" Pick of the Lists and hailed by "School Library Journal" as "Powerful [and] compelling," with a narrator "reminiscent of Harper Lee's Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird.""
Ms. Banks is also the author of "Remember My Name, The Way Was Through the Woods, " and the picture book "A Net to Catch Time." She lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews

[Anna]

A touching story about a pre-teen girl and her not-all-there best friend. Tattnall's getting tired of always being responsible for Obie and his antics. Backdrop: World War II America . A very moving novel about friendship, obligation, and growing up.
I enjoyed the book - a quick read, and emotionally moving.

[Miss Amanda]

gr 4-8 147 pgs

1944, Alabama. 11 year old Tattnell has always tried to look out for her cousin Obie, who was left brain damaged from a very high fever he had when he was younger. She finds it harder to look out for him because as they've grown older Obie's behavior has become more and more unpredictable.


It reminded me of "A Corner of the Universe" by Ann Martin, but not quite
as depressing.

[Katy Lovejoy]

While never to the extreme of Tattnall, I can understand resenting that your always expected to be the responsible one and maybe even lashing out at someone you love because of it, but she always seemed sorry for it right after she did, which is a...for lack of a better word...mature thing to do

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer]

Misunderstanding of the mentally handicapped.