Whistling in the Dark

By: Lesley Kagen

Imagine being a young girl living on the streets with only your younger sister, a murderer, and a molester. Sally O'Malley is a ten year old who faces life threatening obstacles. While her mother is ill in the hospital, her alcoholic step-father ignores the responsibility he has to take care of the girls. Sally's older sister, Nell, is too busy making out with her boyfriend to pay any attention to Sally and her little sister Troo. Sally is very imaginative and is afraid to tell the community that she knows who murdered and molested two younger girls and she also knows that she is next on the list. Nobody will believe what Sally tells her. Sally now has to fight to keep herself and Troo safe, a promised she made do her dad before he died, while also fending for herself on the streets. She has to rely on her own strength and courage if she wants to live.

The main theme in this novel is courage and the inner strength we all carry with us. As a ten year old, Sally is expected to accomplish tasks that could change how she lives for the rest of her life. This is relevant to my life because I often times have to make decisions that could potentially harm me if i make the wrong choice. This story is very credible because there are harmful people out there and numerous dysfunctional families that leave the children to grow up alone. The girls in this story are also very credible because you can relate to some of their adventures while you remember your childhood. The character development is extremely strong in this novel. Sally grows from a young child into a hero of her community. The plot is very slow moving and it doesn't get intense until the last couple chapters. It is very slow moving, but it does pick up and will keep you hooked. I could relate to the girls from my childhood and my friends. I would recommend this book to mainly girls, but anyone who wants a good read. It is compassionate and shows you what life is really like on the streets.