Three For A Wedding- Mary C. Sheppard

All right, I don’t often rave about a book or series but I am about to. I just read Three For A Wedding ,having read One For Sorrow previously. The calibre of this writing is extraordinary. I have been doing some thinking lately about “classics” and what current books might fit into that category. I believe this is a classic series. It reminds me of the “Anne” books, at a somewhat higher interest and reading level. I’m not sure of the genre; historical fiction isn’t quite right as there isn’t a central historical truth. I think of them more as a “period” piece, where through the exquisite writing and character development, you are effortlessly transported to another time period. One of the things I admire greatly about Sheppard’s writing is the relevancy for today’s readers. It becomes very clear, although Three For A Wedding takes place in the ’80’s, that youth of then had many of the same interests, troubles and friendship concerns as youth today. They are coming-of-age novels, and have given me a flavour and picture of Newfoundland which I have never had before.

Three For A Wedding focuses on Violet Blue and her family. Her older sister Jenny is getting married; a bit of a surprise as she had lost her fiancee some years before. Unknown cousin Grace-Mae, arrives early for the wedding and she and Violet could not be more different. Grace-Mae is the typical rich kid, lazy and expecting everything to fall into her lap, which it generally does. Violet keeps her distance but suspects there are things about this cousin she does not know. Throw in the handsome twins for the love interest, Violet’s ongoing battle with her mother over career choice, and all the antics that occur in the planning of a small town wedding, and you have a recipe for fascination. I would recommend this highly for grade 6 right through high school, and an exceptionally fine adult read as well.

Over the next while, I would like to develop a new list of classics. Maybe about 10 for Picture Books, Middle Years and YA. By classics, I mean books you think every child should read. I know there are many more than 10, but if we stick to publications of the last ten years, perhaps we could come up with our own “must read” list. Can you help? Can you give me your ideas on best books for kids? I’d love anyone’s help with this.