Mulberry Park

A young girl who lost both her parents... A young boy who lost his mother to cancer and his father to jail... A woman who lost her young son to an accident and her husband to divorce... A man who lost his wife and his stepsons... A woman who lost her husband to jail and divorce... Their lives and the lives of others entwine to bring healing to hurting souls.

If you're looking for a book with strong black and white deliniations of right and wrong, this isn't the one. If you're looking for a an uplifting book about characters on individual journeys of redemption, this one is a must have. Analisa is a child who wants simple answers to the hard questions, and her letter to God puts into motion the events that unfold in the story, each thread tugging at the heartstrings. While reading this book, I smiled, I worried for the well being of each of the characters, and I cried at the tangled mess of the climax. This is a heart-warming story you'll remember long after you put this book down. I can't wait to read this author's next book!

"And a child shall lead them." Analisa has faith that God is real despite losing her father and mother to tragic ends in South America where they serve as missionaries. Her deep faith is a well that many an adult learns to draw from. At 6 she is sent to live with her Uncle Sam who has little faith, but struggles to raise her in love. Hilda, her nanny, takes her to Mulberry Park as a respite each day where she and Analisa make several friendships of the other broken spirited park patrons. Claire comes accidentally into Analisa's life by finding a letter the child writes to God, leaving it on a high limb in a tree. As it falls at Claire's feet, she reads it wondering how best to assure the hurting tike that her parents are happy in Heaven. Walter, an elderly man who feels his worth fullness has long wore out, prays to be needed again. Maria with two children and another on the way, worries how to feed her family. And Trevor, a lonely nine year old, wonders if he will see his imprisoned father home again. All wounded souls, events arise that force them to pull together as a unit to heal their hearts. Though probably a bit coincidental, the story keeps you intrigued learning the reasons for all the sorrow in each of these character's souls. A lovely, spiritually uplifting read that leaves one happy that there is a God that loves us all.

Three years ago in Fairbrook, a suburb of San Diego, Claire Harper's life ended when a hit and run driver killed her young son Erik. Since then she lost her faith in God and her marriage to Ron; she just passes through life as a living dead person because she never has gotten past the early stages of grief. Every day after work, Claire stops at Mulberry Park to jog for miles in an effort to be so exhausted she can sleep through the night, but her grief overwhelms her fatigue. One evening as she runs, a pink envelop falls from a nearby tree. Claire picks it up to see a note inside written "To God From Analisa". The seven year old child begs God to care for her parents who are in Heaven with him. Although she no longer believes, Claire writes back hoping to help Analisa with her faith in the Lord. Soon they become pen pals although the child thinks God is responding to her; ironically the correspondence helps Claire return to life. As she comes back, Claire befriends the Mulberry Park regulars, whom she ignored since her son's death as she realizes they need kind words, mental and physical hugs, chess opponents and more just like she does. There are several other fully developed characters in the superbly written MULBERRY PARK that will touch the readers' hearts as much as Analisa and Claire do as all needing companionship. The elderly chess player Walter is a great example of this as he plays by himself, but would love tutoring others in the game. With a heavenly nod that God does not need snail; or e-mail to read what is in one's heart, readers will appreciate this strong character study that affirms people need people. Harriet Klausner

The story lines & characters of Mulberry Park are just as cute and heartwearming as the cover of this book. This novel is about heartbreak, healing, hope, love and friendship, all of which come together when a few lovable and interesting characters find their lives intertwined after meeting at Mulberry Park. I read this book in a few short hours and was completely caught up in each of the character's lives. I hope that Judy Duarte will write more in this genre.