Nana's Gift

VOYA - Debra Lynn Adams

What a surprise! Lizzie never dreamed Duncan could afford a pearl necklace for their thirty-sixth anniversary, but he saved for many years for the valuable necklace, priceless to her because of the immense love and sacrifice it represented. For that reason, Lizzie would treasure it always. When her great-granddaughters are born many years later, Lizzie dreams of their wedding day when they too will wear the pearls, as their mothers did before them. Times and tastes change, however, and even though Lizzie humbly offers them, not one of the great-granddaughters asks to borrow the necklace-except Beth. The eleventh and last great-grandchild, Beth is her Nana's soul mate. She spends her happiest hours taking tea at Nana's, wearing dress-up clothes, and sharing conversation, especially about her late great-grandfather Duncan, who died just before she was born. Nana shares many important lessons with Beth about her great-grandfather's example of love and sacrifice, and what good marriage should be. All too soon, it is Beth's turn to wear the pearls. She models them for Lizzie in preparation for the big day. Shortly after, a terrible accident happens. While driving, Beth nearly hits a deer and damages her spine. It is God's grace and the love of her Nana and fiancé Kevin that will encourage her to recover and someday walk down the aisle on her own, wearing her Nana's pearls. This book is not for all readers. Those who are impatient with sentimental stories will miss the tender emotions between Lizzie and Beth and the beauty in their strong family traditions. Nana is a loving, selfless great-grandmother, valued by those in her family who choose to see her value. Beth is a little girl who grows into a strong woman because of her Nana's example. Nana's Gift is a simply written story with small, spare details that add grace to the story without overwhelming it. Those who love other books by Oke-or any "old-fashioned" novels-will not be disappointed. VOYA Codes: 5Q 2P M J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8, Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9 and Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).