Vicky Austin has had a difficult year - it seems that death is more prevalent than life following the deaths of a family friend, the mother of a friend, a young girl, and one of the dolphin pod she is befriending. Added to this is the slow deterioration of her beloved grandfather, the depression of a friend following his wife and children's deaths in a car accident, and the suicide wish of a friend, following his mother's death. Towards the end of the novel it has all become too much for her and she falls into a depression, albeit brief. It is the work of her grandfather and friend, Adam, and the dolphins which bring her out of the mood. Touches of fantasy are throughout the novel, specifically the psychic communication between Vicky and the dolphins, and Vicky and Adam.

This is my favorite Madelein L'Engle book. Vicky and her family are staying with her grandfather who is dying. I love the contrast of death and life in this book. Vicky is trying to wrap her mind around the fact that her grandfather will no longer be there, and is profoundly saddened. At the same time, life goes on, and her interactions with her friend Adam and the dolphins he is researching, give her renewed energy with which to face life. ( )

Very good - but the story needed to be a little deeper to support the weighty theme. ( )

One of my favorite L'Engle books, in no small part because it always reminds me of Coke with lemon and bright summer afternoons reading on my bed with "Red, Red Wine" on the radio.

Vicky Austin is a 15, almost 16 year old teen who, like most, wonder about life and people. She questions her beleives as she sees her grandfather slowly die. Staying at the island with him was harder than she thought and to make things worse she is torn between three boys. ( )

Children's Writers (L'Engle) -- United States

This is one of my favorite books of all. time. Everything about it rings true. It's about appreciating every second of life, especially when we know it's going to end. It is a joyful book and I highly recommend it. ( )

About death and life; darkness and light; tragedy and joy.
"...not so much of dying - I'm afraid of annihilation. Of not being."

Hmmm.. I hardly remember this story. :( ( )

So much love for this book. ( )

The ending of this book is simply amazing. I wish she had delved a little more into some ideas presented in the book, but still, it's a good book.
My only critique is that some of the characters are unrealistic. ( )