Rachel and the Upside Down Heart

This story makes me very sad, especially since it’s a true story. I feel like four-year-old Rachel might be wiser than me as a nineteen-year-old. This little girl uses so much symbolism to express her sadness at her father’s death. I love the way Eileen Douglas, the author writes the story in third person, but the reader sees everything from Rachel’s point of view. She does a spectacular job of describing Rachel’s grieving and healing process through the eyes of a child. Twice Douglas uses the phrase “the kind of day you wait all winter for,” meaning the day you’re healed after a long time of sadness. Then, on that beautiful day, Rachel is able to help a friend who is at the beginning of the same sad, but learning experience that Rachel went through for about three years. This is a very touching story that is appropriate for all ages.