∎ Descargar The Mailbox Audrey Shafer 9780385733441 Books

The Mailbox Audrey Shafer 9780385733441 Books

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The Mailbox Audrey Shafer 9780385733441 Books

Twelve-year-old Gabe lives with his Uncle Vernon, a crusty, reclusive Vietnam vet, in this contemporary middle school book. One day he comes home from school and finds his uncle's body on the floor. He doesn't call the police because he's afraid they'll put him in a foster home-he already spent eight years bouncing around in the foster care system until his uncle adopted him.

The next day after school his uncle's body is gone. Will the police think he murdered Uncle Vernon and hid the body? He decides not to tell anyone.

In the mailbox he finds an unsigned letter: "I have a secret. Do not be afraid." The letters continue, but the writer's identity remains a mystery.

After several weeks the body is discovered and Gabe's plan to live alone unravels. Now the police, the social worker, and Gabe's teachers are involved and his fate is in their hands.

Gabe's past, except for the two years with Uncle Vernon, made him shy and distrustful. But his resilience and integrity as he handles the difficult situation makes it easy for us to like him. This middle school book will also awaken empathy for soldiers returning from war. Although Uncle Vernon is deceased when the story begins, he becomes a vivid character because of Gabe's memories of him. For instance, when the social worker first brought Gabe over, he called his uncle `sir.' "'No, no," answered Vernon. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm no `sir.' They can save all they's fancy sirs and salutin' for the dress parade. No, life's a jungle, there's no use for sirs in the jungle.'" He taught Gabe how to use tools, including a power saw; helped him make a tree swing; and, when Gabe had the flu, nursed him with a potent herbal mixture he learned from an old Vietnamese woman.

The identity of the letter-writer becomes a central question of the story. As I read, I wondered if he could live up to the mystery surrounding him, but I wasn't disappointed. Instead, I was deeply moved. This well-written and engaging book touched my heart.


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The Mailbox Audrey Shafer 9780385733441 Books Reviews

I keep giving this book to people. It's so beautiful and haunting in the best way.
Really good book
Have not read this yet.
enjoyed very much. I wish all kids could end up surrounded by this kind of love.
The is a wonderful story about an old Viet Nam Vet and his sisters son, a dog, best friend, and life. I would recommend this book to all who like to read about the above mentioned.
This story touches the soul. Disturbing, thought-provoking, and yet glimmering with hope and friendship. Bizarre circumstances leave the reader wondering what in the world one would do in such terrifying events.
I did not like this book because I am not one to read about war or death and those certain topics make me sad or even scared. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy hearing "war hero" stories or that don't get frightened easily. If you are a teacher I would not recommend this book for a summer reading project for certain grades. One of the main reasons I disliked this book was that I get scared easily but some people don't and if you don't get scared by certain books that by all means this book is for you. In conclusion I do not recommend this book for younger readers or even older readers who don't enjoy a good old murder mystery (if this book would even fit into that genre).

- The End
Twelve-year-old Gabe lives with his Uncle Vernon, a crusty, reclusive Vietnam vet, in this contemporary middle school book. One day he comes home from school and finds his uncle's body on the floor. He doesn't call the police because he's afraid they'll put him in a foster home-he already spent eight years bouncing around in the foster care system until his uncle adopted him.

The next day after school his uncle's body is gone. Will the police think he murdered Uncle Vernon and hid the body? He decides not to tell anyone.

In the mailbox he finds an unsigned letter "I have a secret. Do not be afraid." The letters continue, but the writer's identity remains a mystery.

After several weeks the body is discovered and Gabe's plan to live alone unravels. Now the police, the social worker, and Gabe's teachers are involved and his fate is in their hands.

Gabe's past, except for the two years with Uncle Vernon, made him shy and distrustful. But his resilience and integrity as he handles the difficult situation makes it easy for us to like him. This middle school book will also awaken empathy for soldiers returning from war. Although Uncle Vernon is deceased when the story begins, he becomes a vivid character because of Gabe's memories of him. For instance, when the social worker first brought Gabe over, he called his uncle `sir.' "'No, no," answered Vernon. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm no `sir.' They can save all they's fancy sirs and salutin' for the dress parade. No, life's a jungle, there's no use for sirs in the jungle.'" He taught Gabe how to use tools, including a power saw; helped him make a tree swing; and, when Gabe had the flu, nursed him with a potent herbal mixture he learned from an old Vietnamese woman.

The identity of the letter-writer becomes a central question of the story. As I read, I wondered if he could live up to the mystery surrounding him, but I wasn't disappointed. Instead, I was deeply moved. This well-written and engaging book touched my heart.