Rain Reign. By Ann M. Martin. Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan, 2014. Middle Grade fiction. Although she is known for her wildly popular Babysitter Club series of books, Ann M. Martin has also won a Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe. The woman is an insightful writer of stories about children and dogs. This one book, Rain Reign, is a masterpiece of understatement, reality, and insight.
Rose Howard's diagnosis is high functioning autism. Rose lives with her father in a cabin near Hatford, New York. She struggles with life both at school and at home. Things change for the better when a dog comes into Rose's life. When Hurricane Susan turns inland and Rose's town is in its cross-hairs, Rose loses Rain. In the course of events, Rose learns that true love and bravery go hand in hand. Martin chose not to just end with a happy reunion, but throws curves that force Rose and readers to dig deep within themselves and ponder heart-rending decisions. While the ending is resolved and is really the best ending possible for Rain, and for Rose, this upbeat, but melancholy, story will start conversations among many readers about dogs, parents, families, and hurricanes, too.
Curriculum tie-ins are a natural with this title. Getting along with others, following rules, and even cafeteria manners are addressed. Rose loves homonyms and prime numbers so don't be surprised if students start their own lists! But, please don't be put off by the difficulty of reading these words aloud. Maybe just keep a running list on the chalkboard for students to see. This book is meant to be shared and will definitely be loved by a wide variety of readers!
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