When Mockingbirds Sing

[Amy]

4 stars! I chose this book as an option for a dark challenge that didn't end up coming to pass, but I decided to stretch myself anyway. I am usually not drawn to dark, but the description of this book gnawed at me, called to me a little bit. Surprised at the outcome of the monthly topic, I decided I had to read it anyway. When Mockingbirds Sing is the story of 9 year old Leah, a lonely awkward girl with a stutter who challenges a church based town, when she begins to hear the voice of the Rainbow Man, and begins painting stunning visual paintings that forecast for the town. What begins as good, has a darker side, and the town has to inevitably choose what side to be on. Each of the characters has to wrestle with what they believe, including Leah's marriage conflicted parents, and psychiatrist father, the town's reverend, who is envious that he is not the sole voice of God, and others in the town who befriend the girl and her family. I was drawn in, and by the end, last night, I stayed up to finish it. I thought it was interesting and well done.