Flamingnet Student Book Reviewer  AStad
The Silent Gift by Michael Landon Jr. takes place in America during the 1930s-in the middle of the Great Depression. It tells the story of Mary and her son Jack, who is a deaf mute. At the beginning, Mary finds out her husband is cheating on her and plans to abandon her, so she steals his money and runs away, taking Jack with her. They stow away in a van and wind up in Chicago. Mary lives for several weeks off of the money she took, but then loses all of it when she drops her purse. She and Jack then spend several nights at the Salvation Army and befriend a woman working there, Grace, who is unable to have a child. Grace prays over Jack one night before going to sleep. Jack then takes a pencil and writes a series of numbers, which Mary discovers correspond to a verse in the bible. This verse predicts that Grace will bear a child and give birth. This is the first sign of Jack having a "gift." Mary eventually finds a job as a maid in Olivia Edmunds's house. Jack continues to make predictions through bible verses, including one that saves Olivia's daughter's life. Eventually, word of Jack's gift spreads, and Olivia is forced to release Mary to protect her family. Mary and Jack, once again homeless, plan to take a bus away, but Mary falls ill. An old woman named Agnes takes her in, and Mary and Jack go to live with Agnes. They begin to use Jack's gift to make money, allowing people to come in and receive their verse and taking offerings. This goes on until Jerry, Mary's husband, tracks them down. Mary is sent to prison for kidnapping her son, and Jerry takes Jack. Jack runs away, and is found and sent to a home for children with disabilities. One of the workers there takes Jack and frees him when Jack is in danger of being used for testing. The worker, Felix, takes Jack and joins a circus as a cleaner. Meanwhile, Mary is released from prison and begins to search for Jack. Will Mary ever find Jack and be reunited with her beloved son? Read The Silent Gift to find out.

The Silent Gift by Michael Landon Jr. is one of the most inspirational stories I have ever read. The message sent by Landon's powerful writing is truly fantastic. Landon expresses Mary's love for her son in such a way that the reader cannot help but share the feelings. The reader shares the fear Mary feels as Jack is taken from her. When Jack and Mary finally reunite, you share their joy in each others company. As the story ends and Landon brings it to its conclusion, you will feel the emotion running through the characters. The Silent Gift is truly a masterpiece of fiction.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States