By Colorado Kids Advisory Board member Taylor Webster

Title:Wenny has Wings
Author:Janet Lee Carey
Illustrator:Cover photo by Ken Robbins
Publisher:Simon and Schuster
Number of pages: 240

Will North and his sister, Wenny were hit by a truck on the way to the craft store, and they both died. Will saw Wenny flying ahead of him towards a golden light. He was having the time of his life, until the doctor put two paddles on his chest and shot electric energy into his body, pulling him back to life. When he was back in his body, he asked if Wenny was alive too. His mom just started to cry.

Now Will's leg is broken, he has stitches in his side, and he blames it on Wenny. If she had just come back to earth with him, maybe she could have made things more fun. Worst of all he blames himself for Wenny's death. If only she hadn't begged to come with him. Now, when his parents come to visit, they almost seem to Will that they aren't really there, that they would rather have Wenny.

While he is still in the hospital, his pastor comes to see him, and tells him that when he's angry, he pulls out a little book and writes to God. Will, after being given his own little book, decides to write to Wenny, telling her about everything he does, and how he wishes she were there.

This is a great book. The letters are funny and touching, and the best thing is that the boy is dealing with real-life situations, there is no fairy godmother who comes along and makes everything better with a flick of a wand. The only bad thing was that it was too short-I finished it in 2 1/2 hours! I would highly recommend this book to kids in grades 4-7, because the whole part about dying might scare younger kids. Although I haven't read any of her other books, I would say they are probably good for fans of this one. (September, 2002)