Barefoot

This book is amazing! The writing style is unique and interesting to follow and the story is absolutely fantastic. It is one of the few books I have found the deals with the death of a family member in a way that reflects life. It is a beautiful story and I could barely sleep for never wanting to put the book down.

Playwright and musician Lizann Bassham presents Barefoot, a novel for all ages about a young girl, only seven years old in 1963 when her mother dies in a freak accident and her father sends her to be raised by her grandmother in a backwoods, mountain community of northern California. A coming-of-age novel of family secrets, surviving in hard times, and the young protagonist's search for the answer to her question: "Is it possible to do something really terrible and not get abandoned by your family?" Gradually, she learns that abandonment has happened to other family and friends she knows and trusts. Ultimately a novel of building spirit, hope, and character in a supportive community, Barefoot is particularly ideal for young adult reading lists, junior high and high school libraries, and classroom study, concluding with thirteen questions for discussion such as "Several characters exhibit different kinds of prejudice, what are they? There are also incidences of acceptance and tolerance, what are they?"

I read this book in one sitting--couldn't put it down. It adresses many issues (sexuality loss, domestic violence, class), but it never becomes an "issues" book--it is always about Opal. As a former psychiatric social worker, I admire the deft way Ms. Bassham portrayed Opal's disassociation around the reality and feelings concerning her mother's death. I think it could be used to introduce the topic of disassociation to both teens and adults.

To be honest, when I received the book, my expectations were not high. I like to support new writers, but the handful I have read did not impress me greatly. Sometimes they serve as an indirect inspiration "if this can be published, surely my writing could" kind of thing: besides, how can a 40-year-old man that grew up in middle-class suburbia identify with a protagonist 7-year-old, (nearly) orphaned girl growing up in a small town in the decade before my own? ... but I absolutely loved the book... I wanted the Newbery people to know about it, I told friends and colleagues about it, and am asking my wife and daughter to read it next. I was very moved by the power conveyed in such elegantly simple moments and in the various behaviors that defined the characters...I read the book within the span of a few days, instead of the few weeks it typically takes me. I didn't want to lose track of the characters or their feelings. They seemed so real (I imagine they were!) that I actually felt like I was putting their lives on hold when I wasn't reading it. I would put Barefoot on my list of 10 favorite books. If you have children, especially daughters in the 10-18 year range, you absolutely should share this book with them. This should be on the reading list of every high school freshman - though don't think this is a book just for teens, anybody of any age that appeciates good, honest writing will enjoy Barefoot tremendously. DISCLOSURE: I have since met and become friends with the author, but this review is, almost verbatim, what I wrote to her before we ever met. She is an extremely talented lady. Enjoy! -Jeff Sprague-

"Barefoot" is a good coming of age book. The trials of a child dealing with tragic loss and feelings of abandonment along with the normal difficulties of growing up are very will told. A person understands their own life story on many levels over time. The author alows the reader to mature along with the girl in the story. The issues of family violence are depicted honestly. The issue of homosexuality in a small town setting is told sensitively. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the author"s next book