A review by theresidentbookworm
When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester

5.0

Whenever I see stories on the news about a husband killing his wife or vice versa, two questions pop into my head: "Why did they do that?" and "What is going to happen to their kids (if they have any)?" Julius Lester answered my second question flawlessly and even took a good crack at the first one.

I will be honest. I was not expecting much out of this little novel. I got it with a bunch of other books at the Goodwill. The plot seemed interesting so I added it to the pile. I didn't even consider reading it until a week ago when my mom was out of town and I was bored. I was definitely surprised by how into it I got. I could not put it down until I was finished.

It could be very easy for a book like this to get over-complicated and dramatic, but Lester kept things clean and simple. Nothing was overdone. Both Jenna and Jeremy were believable and likeable narrators, and their confusion and hurt about what had happened to their family radiated off the page. I especially sympathized with Jeremy because I could see myself as him, clinging to the place my mom loved the most. Lester did a terrific job with the emotions of his characters. Nothing felt like it was written. Heck, you could've said this was a non-fiction novel, and I probably would believe you.

The mystery behind why their father killed their mother was in itself very complex and interesting. Like life, nothing is truly simple in the plotline, and nobody is marked a villain.

I liked the ending. It was sad but hopeful, and I was glad but disappointed to see these characters move on to the next phase of their life.

Excellent novel! Can't wait to read more of Lester's books!