Ah, the promise of being special…
What kid doesn’t dream of learning they are someone exceptional, important, and powerful? A superhero, the child of someone famous, or the heir of someone powerful?
Today’s book recommendation is one I’ve actually quoted from twice in my weekly life coaching newsletter (click here to subscribe)— lines that spoke to me about what family really is, and about our implicit longing for Purpose in our lives: Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson.
This book shares a number of things with The Curse of the Neverland. One is the protagonist’s longing for friends. Another is the redefining of “family” over the course of the book (as happens for Piper in book two, Becoming Piper Pan, due out in early 2016.) Yet another commonality is a plot that features the protagonist being recognized as someone special—an identity revealed. In Piper’s case, she learns she is Peter Pan’s heir, tasked with saving the Neverland.
Finally, they share a girl protagonist who is 11 years old. This is no accident—psychologist Carol Gilligan speaks to the clarity of identity and purpose held by girls this age, before puberty completely clouds those issues. I guide my adult life coaching clients to tune back in to that age, to their visions of themselves, where there are powerful truths to be discovered.
Here’s the Library of Congress Summary for Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson:
Eleven-year-old Tabitha Crum, whose parents were just about to abandon her, is invited to the country estate of a wealthy countess along with five other children and told one of them will become her heir.
It’s a light read, a romp, one that absolutely requires suspending your disbelief—great practice for adults. It’s a fun mix of historical English novel a la Jane Eyre, and child Miss-Marple sleuthing.
Protagonist Tabitha Crum’s life is positively Dickensian. Really, Oliver Twist had nothing on her. Tabitha’s one true friend at the top of the book is a mouse named “Pemberley.” This immediately endeared the book to me. The need for friends in our lives is such that lacking a real one, we create the best substitute possible. My best friend as a young girl was my baby-doll, Amanda, whose hair I cut completely off so it wouldn’t scratch me when I held her at night. I would have adored a pet mouse!
One of the chief delights of a story like this is the guaranteed happy ending, the promise of being special fulfilled, mystery solved, and new friends found. Check it out from your library and enjoy!
P.S. I’ll be at the Soroptimist Gift Gala in Sequim on Saturday, Dec. 5th, 10am—4pm — at the Boy’s & Girls Club, 400 W Fir St. I’ll be giving away one of my beautiful fairy figurines (a $25 value) as well as selling and autographing books and character cards. Stop by and enter to win the fairy!
P.P.S. The hardback version of my book will only be available through the end of December, 2015. The cover becomes a “collectible,” as the paperback has a new cover design. If you know my Piper Pan, Alexi Rampp-Taft, and want to commemorate her appearance, buy an extra copy now!