The Sin Eater
by Gary D. Schmidt
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While living on his grandparents' farm in New Hampshire, Cole hears stories about a mysterious sin-eater; these stories enable Cole to learn forgiveness and to connect with his ancestors.Tags
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Cole and his father move to New Hampshire after two lonely and quiet years following his mother’s death to live with her parents. As his father withdraws, Cole spends time with his grandparents learning about his family’s Welsh history, makes friends with local boys, and learns the lesson of love and forgiveness from tales of the mysterious Sin Eater. Several deaths, including an off-screen suicide (Cole’s father) and very mild violence. The Christian theme is very subtle, played out more through the social network and community actions of the Baptist church in the town of Albion. Ages 12+.
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Author Information
45+ Works 14,542 Members
A much published and oft-translated author of children's books, Gary D. Schmidt has earned national acclaim. In 2011, his Okay for Now was a National Book Award finalist and was listed on the Notable. Children's Book lists of the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune; and the Boston Globe. Trouble (2008) was a Junior Library Guild Selection and show more appeared on the Kids Reading list for Oprah's Book Club. The Wednesday Wars (2007) and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (2004) were both John Newbery Honor Books. Schmidt is also professor of English at Calvin College and the author and coeditor of several scholarly books on children's literature and children's book authors. He lives in Alto, Michigan. show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Sin Eater
- Original publication date
- 1996
- People/Characters
- Cole
- Important places
- New Hampshire, USA
- Dedication
- for Margaret and Benjamin, for whom the stories are just beginning
- First words
- Some still recall the days of the Sin Eaters, especially in the Welsh villages far from the sea where stone cottages cling to the hills and people hold to their ways.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I sat, my face in my hands, crying and crying and crying in Grace Church for the stories, for Ma, and for Dad, who once was lost but now was found.
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Statistics
- Members
- 84
- Popularity
- 379,378
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.75)
- Languages
- English, French
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 8
