From the Bookshelf of Around The World…

[close] Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
4.5★'s

What's It About?
1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

What Did I Think?
Fourteen year old June knows that her Godfather is dying of AIDS. It's the 1980's and the AIDS epidemic is a big part of the life scene. There is also an entire nation offering various opinions on the subject. We soon see that June's family is diffidently divided on the issue. You had to feel compassion for June when finding out she did not know everything about her Uncle...such as his being bullied by her sister and further alienated by a mother who wanted her brother, Finn, to suffer for the life choices he made. She succeeded in making not only Finn, but everyone suffer, most especially Toby, Finn's love who June had no idea even existed before the funeral. This brought more guilt and questions to June. Brunt managed to depict the public's conception and reaction to the emergence of this disease without being overly dramatic or sensational. The characters had a story to tell and it was so well woven throughout the whole book.