by Sharon Creech
Sharon Creech writes what I could only describe as 'magical' tales (she's written 16 in all). I just loved The Great Unexpected. The Boy on the Porch continues her beautiful heartwarming style, but this one was very simple and, well, short. I still absolutely loved it though, but was glad I only paid 99p for the e-book I read it so quickly!
Married couple Marta and John find a boy asleep on their porch. He has a note "Plees taik kair of Jacob. He is a god good boy. Wil be bak wen we can." Jacob does not speak, but he communicates by tapping and nodding and smiling. Marta and John dutifully take care of him over the next few weeks, wondering who left him there and when they will come back. They grow to love him, and the boy seems to flourish in their company. He reveals many talents - art, music, a love of the animals on their farm, but his biggest talent being spreading happiness and filling their house with joy and love. Then the day comes that Marta and John have grown to dread. A man appears saying he is the boy's father and wants him back. Will the couple be able to hand over Jacob, and how will they able to fill the huge void that will be left in their home without him.
