Audrey Shafer

Narrated by Nick Landrum. Gabe comes home from school to find his Uncle Vernon dead on the floor. Gabe has been orphaned since a toddler and after numerous foster homes, finally found a stable home with his uncle. Fearing that he will be returned to the foster system, Gabe keeps his uncle’s death a secret. But someone else knows what’s going on. Uncle Vernon’s body disappears and Gabe begins receiving notes in the mailbox assuring him that everything will be all right. Gabe’s show more correspondent turns out to be Smitty, a Vietnam war vet like Vernon and one of his closest friends. The happy, Lassie-come-home ending is way too convenient and sentimental. The narration ultimately makes Gabe come off as almost too squeaky-clean and well-mannered to be believed, considering his transitional upbringing. show less

This book caught me by surprise, and the end was so touching I found myself in tears as I drove and listened to the audiobook. Gabe has finally found a home and family with his Uncle Vernon. But when he finds Vernon dead and the body disappears, Gabe is on his own to fend for himself, for awhile at least.

A sweet book about a quiet boy, Gabe, who finds a home with his anti-social uncle, Vernon, after years in the foster care system. When Vernon drops dead, however, Gabe doesn't know what to do. For the time being, he pretends that Vernon is still alive -- a lie made easier when a secret "guardian angel" begins delivering messages via the mailbox to him. Who is his benefactor? What should Gabe do next? How long can he keep his uncle's death a secret? This book has much to say about the power show more of reaching out and taking care of each other. Gabe learns that he is truly not alone but finds support from many people. The adults, without exception, are kind and well-meaning. Gabe's predicament is senstively portrayed. The ending is believable and satisfying. The book seemed a bit old-fashioned to this reader... and that is definitely a good thing! [Spoiler alert: Vernon suffered from PTSD from his days in the Vietnam war; Gabe's secret friend is another Vietnam War Vet, "Smitty"...the dog is Smith's own pet] show less

I read this book because I was intrigued by the mystery it seemed to hold. It holds more than that.

This is a book about: fostering, adoption, pet fostering, death and life, trust, and facing your fears.

Gabe is used to veing shuttled from foster home to foster home when a caring caseworker is finally able to locate his uncle who agrees to take him in. Death strikes unexpectedly and Gabe finds himself alone and unsure of what to do. When this happens he also finds a curious correspondence has show more begun between him and a stranger, via Uncle Vernon's mailbox.

This is a book written for juveniles but it explores some very mature themes. There is some discussion about a Vietnam vet who mistakenly fired upon a Vietnamese child who was firing on him. This tragedy haunted the vet who eventually fited upon himself due to thd guilt for which he couldn't forgive himself...
This same veteran, though mentally unstable, reaches iut to Gabe, via the mailbox, and the two become friends from afar. Each helps the other in his own way, to face a world without Vernon.

This story also portrays teachers, caseworkers, and law officials as being human beings with feelings and with the ability and need to reach out to others. In the end, the story line is nicely tidied up with everyone moving appropriately forward.

I strongly caution a pre-read by parents and teachers prior to allowing or encouraging children to read this book. While it is well-written and thought-provoking, in my opinion, it should probably only be read by kids ages 10 or 12 and older. And then only if they will not be tormented by a man shooting half his head off in an attempt to expunge himself of guilt... This story has its place but it isn't for everyone. It certainly isn't something I'd have chosen to read if I'd known the subject matter more fully. If our boys choose to read it I'll be glad I've already read it. show less