Kirkus Reviews QR Code
A QUIET PLACE by Rose Blue

A QUIET PLACE

By

Pub Date: April 1st, 1969
Publisher: Watts

Another slice of slum life in which everything is touched upon but very little occurs. The slight story concerns nine-year-old Matthew's loss of ""a quiet place"" to read when the local library is closed (to be replaced in two years) and his eventual discovery of a secluded spot in the park for summer, his determination to search out its counterpart for winter. Also involved, however, is Matthew's insecurity as a foster child (including his life history), the hangups of his foster sister (including her out-of-the-blue remark that ""When you're black. . . you can't make it no matter what you do"") and some very warm, very understanding but not very necessary family by-play. Tom Feelings' drawings, similarly sensitive, deserve a more attractive setting. This small book has its heart in the right place but otherwise it misses--it's neither inviting nor vigorous nor especially easy to read.