I am super excited to present to you Joe Siccardi’s debut novella:  Heaven Shining Through. This novella was sent to me by the author for a read and review. To learn more about Mr. Siccardi and his upcoming work, visit his website.

Heaven Shining Through is a 64 page novella that centers around Samantha’s reflections on her life. Visiting her ailing mother, whom she never really got along with, Samantha is sent into a reverie of her past. She walks the reader through her teenage years and into her current life situation. Through her reflections, Samantha comes to realize that life really is unpredictable and perhaps her mother loved her more than she had ever realized.

Awesomeness: 

*As my hubby says, I’m a sucker for vocabulary. This book has excellent vocabulary. I circled 59 words that I would turn into a vocabulary lesson(s).

*The ending is a happy one in which broken relationships are healed.

*It is a short read and could easily be finished in an  hour depending on the strength of the reader.

Cautions:

*The word whore is used at one point.

*The S word is also used.

*Fondling is discussed and the main couple do experience a moment of intimacy out of wedlock.

*Several characters die. One from cancer- that could be a trigger for anyone having had that personally affect them.

*At one point, Samantha compares the Bible Church she is attending to her Catholic experience. There are not derogatory remarks against the Catholic faith, she is just merely reflecting on the differences.

Lesson Plan Ideas:

*Use context clues to define unknown words.

*Write an alternative ending to the story.

*Create a character map of Samantha. What is she feeling? Thinking? Doing?