A Ring of Endless Light: The Austin Family Chronicles, Book 4 (Newbery Honor Book) (Austin Family, 4)

In this novel, two characters from past Austin novels are reintroduced. Three boys are fighting for Vicky's affection through their different attempts at love, and are all in some way or another associated with death as Vicky struggles with her own battles with the emotions that come with the passing of loved ones. Zachary, irresponsible and unpredictable as ever, is grieving the loss of his mother as he turns to Vicky for emotional support. His attempt to end his life leaves him thinking constantly about what he has to live for and who the loving mother figure in his life will be even if they are unwilling. Leo, the boy that Vicky grew up with, has made a comeback. The passing of his father leaves him groping for friendship as he notices the wealth gap between him and his competitor, Zachary. Adam, John's friend from MIT, comes to visit often and involves Vicky on his experiment with dolphins. But he shys away from relationships because of a secret from Portugal that he wishes not to reveal. Vicky meets dolphins that she never would have if it weren't for Adam, and learns that she understands wildlife. As Vicky learns about sickness and sometimes having to let people work out their problems on their own, she grows up a lot in just one summer.

For anyone who is following Vicky Austin and her family, this is a wonderful growing up story which takes Vicky to a new level of maturity in the face of a summer seemingly full of death. The Austins have come to stay on an island with Vicky's grandfather who is dealing with leukemia. Bad penny, Zachary Gray, shows up again. And Vicky spends some spare time working with John's friend Adam on his experiment with communicating with dolphins--which she finds she is surprisingly good at! It is a summer full of heart conflict, but Light will overcome the Darkness!

When most people hear Madeleine L'Engle they think of A Wrinkle in Time. And while that is an exceptionally great novel, A Ring of Endless Light (a Newberry Honor book) is, in my opinion, far superior. The writing is exquisite, the themes subtle yet powerful, and the characters are wonderfully real. It steps delicately to the edge of the fantastic, yet maintains a very realistic sense of the narrator - 15 year old Vicky Austin - with all the trials and tribulations of being a hormonal 15 year old poet navigating her way in the world through life, death, and love. I highly recommend this book to any young girl who is experiencing the death of a loved one. When I read it for the first time I was about 13 and had just lost my mother. This book definitely changed my life, for the better. I don't think you will be disappointed if you give this novel a try.

I love these Madeline L’engle books.I almost can’t get enough!And this is one of the best. This wonderful family goes to spend the summer with their ailing grandpa.Filled with wisdom and tenderness. Lots of exciting moments with a dolphin 🐬 too!

With a lovely new introduction by her granddaughters. Have loved this book since I was a preteen trying to figure out life. This book inspired me to read the seventeenth century poetry of Henry Vaughan, from which the title of the book is taken, as well as Lewis Carol’s Lives Of A Cell~all three of these have contributed immensely to my personal & intellectual growth.

I didn't know about this book when I'm its teenaged target audience. Hubby introduced me to it as an adult. I have re-read it at every death in our two families. I find it more helpful for spiritual coping with bereavement than most nonfiction on the subject.

As a retired school librarian, I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have ever read, Although it is typically labelled "Young Adult", it is equally moving when read by an adult. Madeline L'Engle thoughtfully and sensitively deals with two major life transitions: dealing with death and finding personal worth. I recently used a poem from this book at my father's memorial service.

There is so much to love in this book, but I wish the ending had wrapped things up a bit more. You never find out (in this book) what happens to the characters you've come to love. It's a shame to have such well developed characters that makes you want to find out what happens, and you don't.

I like the story, like so many reading books it really takes you into a world of your own imagination.

Part of any enjoyable series with heartwarming family spiritual values - really for youngsters but adults in need of therapy will enjoy too!