Extra Credit # 3 The Key to the Golden Firebird

Johnson, Maureen. The Key to the Golden Firebird. Harper Collins, 2004

Annotation: The gold girls May, Brooks and Palmer, lose their father and struggle with his absences while holding the keys to their dad's favorite car the golden firebird. Sisters that are all very different trying to deal in their own way and yet need something to bring them back together.

Justification for Nomination: I read the other cover version of this book. I really enjoyed it for simply that I could relate to the story of losing my birth father when I was their age. I think many young adults and adults could relate because it's always hard losing someone close to you that you love, especially a parent. No matter how close your relationship is it is a hard thing to deal with. While this book reminded me of the movie Grand Torino with Clint Eastwood, because it too had a beautiful classic car that everyone wanted hence the name. The owner of that car also passed away and passed the car on to someone he thought would truly appreciate it. This book really brings out the emotions that the three sister's are facing and the impact that it has on their development. You never know what it takes to bring a family back together and with the adventure of this car it helps them cope with their father's death in ways you may never have imagined. The book has you asking questions and also would help someone who is dealing with this same or similar situation. Just like their mother who worked nights to support the family, my step dad has always worked nights as long as I knew him and I always had to fend for myself. It maked me grow up faster then I wanted, I never really got to experience the teenage life that most have been able to. A lot of my friend and those around me say I take life too seriously. But when you are left to take care of your siblings it changes you. My mother worked all the time so I didn't see her enough either. This book engages the reader in ways I didn't think it would. I am glad I picked up this book.

Genre: Romance, coming of age, realistic