Snow Angels

Arthur Parkinson, a fourteen year old boy lives in a world of struggle in strife throughout his family. His parents constantly fight and argue which soon leads to their divorce. The family seems to be where a lot of Arthur's story comes from. His family is turned up by the divorce, and while his sister is gone away more struggle continues. This struggle really workss to contrast the setting nicely. It is a dreary winter in 1974 somewhere on the east coast. This setting really works to the mood of the book. No one in this book ever really seems to be happy it is just solemn and somber. He participates in the school marching band, and one day hears a gun shot. He knew that it was a 22 caliber but did not know who shot it or who was shot. He soon learns that it was his old babysitter Annie. This crushes his world a little bit more. He loved Annie like a family member. 

The book is told by Arthur Parkinson as an adult, who then looks back on his childhood. It also switches back and forth from his perspective as well as Annie's. Two stories going on at the same time, which then link together. The commonalities of their stories are very similar. They both have family struggles. The key component to this story is really the family. Once the family starts falling apart problems begin to arise. This book is a story of how one boy deals with tragedy and heartache.

Stewart O'Nan's Snow Angels was an awesome read. The way narration switched up was really cool. When Arthur's story was done being told, Annie's would come in. So you would just want to know what is going on in each of their lives. It was a relatively short book and quite easy to read. It had a mature message, but yet easily understandable. Overall, this book should be read by people who are looking for an edgy book.