These two books by Kimberley Griffiths Little are finalists in their respective categories for the Whitney Awards, which recognize novels by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were also finalists for the Association of Mormon Letters awards.
“THE TIME OF THE FIREFLIES,” by Kimberley Griffiths Little, Scholastic, $18.99, 356 pages (f) (ages 8-12)
It’s been about a year since Larissa Renaud’s parents moved their family to Bayou Bridge, Louisiana, and opened an antique store and a year since the accident at the broken bridge that left a scar on Larissa’s face when “The Time of the Fireflies” opens.
Larissa’s mother’s family lived across the bayou in what was a majestic house on the island. But the bridge doesn’t stretch across the bayou anymore and is little more than a broken pier. The house is a run-down, vandalized shell of its former beauty.
It’s the beginning of summer and one of the antique, disconnected phones that is for sale rings and there is a message for Larissa: “Find the fireflies. Trust the fireflies.”
These fireflies aren’t like any she’s seen as they take her from the riverbank and the broken pier across the bayou and back in time as she sees events from her own family’s history, some long forgotten and some details that were kept secret or lost with time. She also finds the twisted history behind a beautiful porcelain doll that’s been passed down through their family, but whose eyes seem to follow Larissa when she’s near it.
Larissa starts to piece together clues behind the tragedies in her family history just as a new one starts to unfold when her pregnant mother goes missing. It takes her efforts to solve this mystery with a few mystical twists and have courage to find answers that can help her save her mother and unborn sibling.
Told from Larissa’s perspective, it’s an intriguing adventure that Larissa unfolds one clue at a time as she unexpectedly runs into her nemesis, who was one of the classmates Larissa blames for the accident that caused her scar.
“The Time of the Fireflies” is ultimately a story of family, healing and forgiveness.
This is one of several middle grade novels from New Mexico author Kimberley Griffiths Little set in Louisiana as she spins a tale that’s easy to fall into with the lilt and pace of the bayou.
There isn’t any foul language or sexual content. There isn’t any described violence, but there are some fantasy elements that may be disturbing for younger readers.
“The Time of the Fireflies” is one of the Whitney Award finalists in the middle grade category and it was also a finalist for the Association of Mormon Letters Award for a middle grade novel.
“FORBIDDEN” by Kimberley Griffiths Little, HarperCollins, $17.99, 379 pages (f) (ages 14 and up)
Jayden’s family depends on their camels, finding water and their alliances with other nomadic families in their tribe to survive the harsh deserts near Mesopotamia in 1759 B.C.
“Forbidden” opens with her betrothal ceremony to Horeb, the tribal leader's son whom she doesn't love, and Jayden is uncertain about her future with him.
Leila, her older sister, had been betrothed to Zenos, Horeb’s older brother, the previous year, but he died during a skirmish with their enemies.
The day after the ceremony as many in their tribe head to the Summer Lands, her pregnant mother goes into labor before her time, leaving their family mourning losses and behind the main group, which is dangerous in crossing the desert.
An injured stranger from the Southern Lands appears before they leave, and there is little choice but for him to go with their small group.
During the crossing, Jayden becomes closer to handsome Kadesh, who helps protect their family during their journey, and finds herself developing feelings for him that she never had for Horeb.
Leila becomes even more distant as she drifts toward a new faith and a new life, one that goes against their mother’s teachings and belief.
It’s Horeb’s jealousy and desire for power that Jayden has to be wary and watchful of as she grows fonder of Kadesh, and a carefully spun lie from Horeb could either cast her out from the security of the tribe or blackmail her to keep her with him.
This first in a series from author Kimberley Griffiths Little is an engrossing story of blossoming love and the ever-constant fight for survival in a harsh environment that is easy to get lost in with Little’s vivid descriptions of the setting and culture.
There isn’t any swearing, described romance doesn’t go beyond kissing and there is some innuendo about a newlywed couple and leering raiders. There is some generally described violence.
It’s one of five finalists in the young adult general category for the Whitney Awards and was also a finalist in the young adult general category for the Association of Mormon Letters awards.
The second book, “Banished,” is scheduled for release in January 2016.
Book trailer for 'Forbidden'
Book trailer for "Forbidden" by Kimberley Griffiths Little.
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