The Snow Child

The Snow Child is by Eowyn Ivey. A brilliant piece of historical fiction with touches of magical realism, this book is a real gem. Set in turn of the century Alaska, it is the story of a middle aged couple who moves to the Alaskan frontier after the death of their newborn child. Jack and Mabel drift apart as they struggle to carve out a farm in the forbidding environment of Alaska. Then one winter they make a "snow child" in the snow, and the next morning see a small child hiding in the forest. The story follows the evolution of their relationship with the mystical Faina, the daughter they never had, and their own struggles to restore their marriage. This is a touching and wonderful story. Alaska is every bit as much a character in this book as the human ones, a beautifully written tale of the power of love.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (some mature thematic content).