Whistlestop Book Review: "Secrets Under the Midnight Sun" by Elisa Maria Crites

Reviewed by Janalyn Voigt

Secrets of the Midnight Sun covers with sensitivity the delicate subject of inappropriate touching of a child by a parent. Young Freddie, a tomboy, keeps her father's invasive overtures to herself. She fears him but also longs for a father's love and a normal family life. When circumstance intrude, Freddie has to choose whether to speak out or keep her secret. The choice she makes changes everything.

This book provides a realistic look into the mindset of an abused child. The author does a great job of developing the characters of Freddie and a middle grade world. I had a harder time getting into the mindset of Freddie's mother, who struck me as June Cleaver in a bad marriage. As a former child sexual assault crisis counselor, I know that mother-blaming is normal in cases of incest. The need to compensate for this may be why Freddie's mother comes across as a little too nurturing. This is really a quibble, since the book taken as a whole is well-plotted, well-written and inspired.

Because I believe children should retain their innocence as long as possible, I don't recommend this book to middle graders indiscriminately. But, where questions exist, perhaps raised by a friend's experience or even by a child's own abuse, this book is entirely appropriate. I do think adults would benefit from reading this page-turning book which demystifies a heartbreaking subject.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book, provided for purposes of review.