At the tender age of three, Jake’s baby brother Edward was placed in his arms. He was mesmerized by Edward’s eyes, which represented the overwhelming love he felt for his new brother. As Edward grew older he loved playing baseball with his neighborhood friends, while Jake enjoyed watching him play. One afternoon a sudden and unexpected surprise forever changes Jake’s life, causing him to see Edward’s eyes in a completely new way.

Though tackling difficult subjects, MacLachlan’s simple style of writing helps readers understand the love and pain felt by this young family. I’m not sure why she inserted all sorts of song lyrics into the book. Perhaps it was to show how music was one of the many ways the family had fun and grew more united. That’s my guess. Would one of my readers care to give a response here on the blog? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2019/12/17/edwards-eyes-by-patricia-mac... ( )

The narrator Jake first met Edward when he was three years old. His mother who he never called mother just put him in his arms. Edward opened his beautiful eyes and it was like he was his. He pretty much raised him and read to him about Baseball which he grew to love. Edward even managed to pitch a Knuckleball which was nearly impossible. Everyone pretty much think Edward is great. He is a very insightful kid. He even knows when his sister Sabine is going to be born and he named her too! It's really weird. It's like one new kid gets born and the the one before it takes care of them. Edward likes to believe in signs. So does Albert or maybe it was Trick? Trick is a 90 year old man and Albert is his son who is almost equally as old. They hang around with the rest of the family. A very weird family. There's a couple of older kids but I can't really describe them. I know one loves to read. There mother likes to dance and sing and they own a bookstore.

This book was disappointing for me. I know some people who just loved it but I don't get it. It was pretty obvious what was going to happen and it was very touching and all but still. The family is really weird and so are the parents. The way they handle the kids it was really weird. I thought they were foster kids in the beginning but there not. It really needed some background information. It had no depth to it. It is a small book and it could have been bigger but even a small book could have been better. It was just confusing and weird and not as great as it could have been. I mean there was so much potential! Oh well...

http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot.com/
( )

A book that will make you cry and laugh at the same time. Heartwarming and lovable, Edward's personality shines through the pages of this book and makes everyone reading feel as though he is in the room. This is a great story about the power of family, love, and sacrifice. Children and adults alike will be crying together and appreciating the family and things that they have.

A great readaloud. I just waited and waited for it to happen. ( )

Do children like this poetic, concise, ethereal kind of writing? This is a very short book but it can't be read swiftly. I bet it'd be great to read aloud in an upper elementary classroom, a few pages at a time. I also bet lots of people rated it higher than I did, because it is lovely and the message is important. I, personally, felt like something was missing, but I don't know what - maybe if I'd shared this with a child or friend I'd've enjoyed it more and rated it higher. ( )