Review - Jar of Tears by Kathleen Templeton
This site is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. (Likewise, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Thanks.
____
Book Description
Mira's dad breaks the news that her mom died. But Mira can't believe him. Surely he's lying and maybe her mom is on a holiday, especially after their fight. Moms aren't supposed to die! God is the maker of the heavens and the earth-- if anyone can bring her mother back, it's Him. She'll just have to pray harder. God wouldn't be so cruel as to take Mira's mom away from her . . . would He?
Accompany Mira as she's thrust into a world of change. She misses her mom. Her heart is broken. Her mom was her best friend, but now she must adapt to a new home, a new stepfamily, and worst of all, a new school. She still has Pastor Will, but Mira's not so sure God is real anymore. Will Mira ever finish her paintings so she can fulfill the promise she made to her mom before she went into the hospital? How will Mira grieve and still be a kid?
Review of Jar of Tears
A well written children's novel with solid Christian themes.
Jar of Tears is a Christian story about a young girl dealing with grief after losing her mother. Mira is ten when her mother dies and she's forced to move in with her dad, step-mom, and step-siblings. Not only did she lose her mother but she lost her home, her school, and her friends at the same time.
The author's real-life experience with grief is evident in the details and I was moved to tears several times over the little things that Mira missed about her mom. The story spans the year after her mother dies and the ways Mira handles her grief during that time.
The Christian theme is solid but not pushy. I felt the way the main character blamed God for her mother's death was realistic and her change of heart believable. The story is quite sad, as you would imagine, and for that reason I think it would be perfect for a read aloud book with an older child, up to a young teen. The chapters are short and allow many places to stop and discuss the attitudes about grief and also the religious aspects of the story. If you'd like to open up a Christian conversation with your child this is a great place to start.
I think the biggest theme of the book was how God can care for us even during the bad times in our lives. Even when we don't hear His voice directly, He's watching out for us and sends comfort in ways we might not expect from Him.
I purchased the paperback for this review.
Where To Find Jar of Tears
You can purchase Jar of Tears at the following link:
About the Reviewer
Tattie Maggard is the founder and owner of ChristianBookFinds.com. When she’s not chasing down Christian book deals, she’s writing Christian stories, homeschooling her daughter, or playing an old tune on the ukulele.
