A fifth-grade girl in 1935 discovers family and hope after being diagnosed and quarantined in a hospital with tuberculosis.
Today I'm happy to join "Light and Air" by Mindy Nichols Wendell virtual book tour sponsored by Rockstar Book Tours. Find out more about this heartwarming tale of resilience below and don't forget to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: LIGHT AND AIR
Author: Mindy Nichols Wendell
Pub. Date: January 2, 2024
Publisher: Holiday House
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 218
It's 1935, and tuberculosis is ravaging the nation. Everyone is afraid of this deadly respiratory illness. But what happens when you actually have it?
When Halle and her mother both come down with TB, they are shunned—and then they are sent to the J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital: far from home, far from family, far from the world.
Tucked away in the woods of upstate New York, the hospital is a closed and quiet place. But it is not, Halle learns, a prison. Free of her worried and difficult father for the first time in her life, she slowly discovers joy, family, and the healing power of honey on the children's ward, where the girls on the floor become her confidantes and sisters. But when Mama suffers a lung hemorrhage, their entire future—and recovery—is thrown into question....
Light and Air deals tenderly and insightfully with isolation, quarantine, found family, and illness. Set in the fully realized world of a 1930s hospital, it offers a tender glimpse into a historical epidemic that has become more relatable than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Halle tries to warm her father’s coldness and learns to trust the girls and women of the hospital, and as she and her mother battle a disease that once paralyzed the country, a profound message of strength, hope, and healing emerges.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
My Review
In this heartwarming tale of resilience, "Light and Air" by Mindy Nichols Wendell, readers are taken on an emotional journey back to 1935, a time when tuberculosis cast a shadow over the nation. The story unfolds through the eyes of Hallelujah, or Halle, as she and her mother grapple with the harsh realities of this deadly respiratory illness. What initially seems like a tale of despair transforms into one of resilience, friendship, and the healing power of love.
The characters in "Light and Air" are not just figments of the imagination; they are real, relatable, and endearing. Halle, the main character, is a joy to follow as she navigates the challenges presented by TB. Her journey at the J. N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital, though initially isolating, becomes a testament to the strength found in unexpected places.
The narrative beautifully captures the essence of friendship and coming together during tragic times. As Halle finds solace in the company of other girls in the children's ward, a sense of family emerges, providing a heartwarming contrast to the prevailing fear of the illness.
Wendell skillfully weaves a tale that transcends time, resonating with readers even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The themes of isolation, quarantine, found family and illness are portrayed with tender insight. The setting in a 1930s hospital adds a historical depth, making the story both captivating and informative.
The novel's exploration of the healing power of honey on the children's ward adds a touch of sweetness to the narrative, creating a poignant metaphor for finding joy even in the most challenging circumstances. Amidst the struggles, Wendell crafts a profound message of strength, hope, and healing.
"Light and Air" is not just a historical novel; it's a beacon of light that resonates with the human spirit's ability to endure and triumph over adversity. Perfectly timed amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book serves as a reminder of the resilience that resides within us, making it an ideal read for children and readers of all ages.
About Mindy Nichols Wendell:
Mindy Nichols Wendell taught writing and pedagogy at SUNY Fredonia for many years, where she served as the Director of the Composition Program. In 2019, she received the prestigious State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mindy lives in Western New York with her husband, Steve, a retired teacher. She is located not far from the ruins of the J. N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital, the inspiration for LIGHT AND AIR.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a finished copy of LIGHT AND AIR, US Only.
Ends January 31st, midnight EST.
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