Tracie Peterson
Silent Star (2003)
Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre (and subgenre): Gentle/Christian
Plot Summary:
Eighteen year-old Andy Gilbert lost his faith in God when both of his parents died. He lives alone, has no friends, and is ostracized by the small town of Haven, Pennsylvania because America is at war (World War II) and he delivers telegrams informing families that their loved ones have been killed in action (he was unable to join the Army because he is crippled). Andy is considered the bearer of bad news and most of Haven’s residents refuse to talk to him and cross the street when they see him. One Sunday, Andy goes to the cemetery to see his parent’s grave and meets Estella Nelson, a widowed senior citizen who recently moved back to Haven. When Estella tries to befriend Andy, he runs away because he cannot believe that she would want to talk to him once she learns about his occupation. Estella sees the pain and hurt in Andy’s life and vows to try to help him. A few days later, Estella feels that Andy needs her and rushes over to his house and finds him deathly ill. After nursing him back to health, Estella tries to convince Andy that God loves him and that the people of Haven do not hate him, they just fear the news he carries. Andy refuses to believe Estella. Estella then meets Mary Beth, one of Andy’s old classmates who also recently moved to the city, and convinces her to help Andy. Mary Beth reminds Andy to read the Bible and learn its lessons. On Christmas Eve, Estella stands up in front of church and tells Haven’s residents how unintentionally mean and cruel they are being to Andy. Estella and Mary Beth then lead the congregation to Andy’s house to apologize for their actions. Andy graciously accepts their apology, reads the Bible to rekindle his faith in God, makes plans to move in with Estella, and begins to fall in love with Mary Beth.
Geographical Setting: Haven, Pennsylvania
Time Period: November & December 1944
Appeal Characteristics:
This non-literary, Gentle read, Christian inspiration story is set in small-town America during World War II. The plot is character driven, develops slowly, and focuses on the main character’s internal struggle for faith and his strained interactions with society. Church, belief in God, and the positive and negative aspects of community play a large part in the story.
Similar Authors: Jan Karon; Janette Oke
Red Flags: None
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