Red Velvet
by Sandra Byrd
Published by Bethany House Publishing
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Reviewed by Linda Lee
Cancer is hard, especially when you are a child and your mother is the one sick. Quinn is fourteen when her mother goes to a special cancer treatment center. She and her brother, Tucker, will be living at the center for six weeks, leaving behind school, church and friends.
During their stay, Quinn's mother shares her list of goals, from when she was a teenager, after she sees a similar list her daughter has written. She shares the list to demonstrate to Quinn how alike they are, but Quinn sees it as a way to show her mother how much she loves her. In trying to cross off the last few items on her mother's list, Quinn begins to worry that fulfillment of the list will mean her mother will die. But there is the threat of her mother dying with a list of things undone.
Quinn is a Christian and wants to share her faith with a new friend. Annie's mother is being treated for cancer, too, but her family doesn't talk about it, or about the secret from her father's past that has recently surfaced. Quinn knows honesty will help the family, but doesn't know how to show this to Annie. Without being self righteous, Quinn shares her faith.
How do you deal with the possible loss of your mother? What happens between family members when faced with this challenge? And, most importantly, how does God help answer these questions? It seems that everyone in the family has something they want to make right with Quinn's mom, while there is time.
This is a good, but bittersweet, young adult story dealing with losing those you love, and showing love to those you might lose--everyone. While I was thrown by a different version of the Bible than I use, when scripture was quoted, I felt it was aptly used in the telling.
Armchair Interviews says: Red Velvet would be enjoyed by young teen girls, and should help those faced with an ill family member.