Keeping the Night Watch by Hope Anita Smith, illustrated by E. B. Lewis.

At 13, CJ has gotten used to shouldering a lot of responsibility for his mother and little sister.  Now his father has returned and CJ is just plain angry.  How can his father returning feel even worse than when he was gone?  CJ has to work through his complex emotions before he is willing to give his father another chance to be part of the family.  Told through poems, this book reveals (as only poetry can) one boy’s inner emotional landscape amid those of others in his family.  Through her poetry, Smith has created a book that will speak to teens going through similar situations and also any teen who has had to deal with difficult family situations.

There is tension, sorrow, joy, pain and jealousy here that is revealed without flinching.  This book rings with truth.  The illustrations add to the feeling of reality as Lewis’ paintings feature portraits of this family on a stark white background, illuminating the inner feelings again. 

Here is one of my favorite passages from the end of the very first poem in the book:

After dinner, I wash dishes.

When Grandmomma comes in

to make a cup of tea, I say,

"This is a mess."

Grandmomma knows right away

I’m not talking about the dishes.

She hugs me and says.

"No, this is a family."

That passage sums up this book beautifully as people struggle to figure out what a family is.  This brief book should be placed in the hands of reluctant readers who will find themselves here.  Highly recommended for ages 11-15.